GIFT  OF 
L>. 


^' 


««s-y 


j& 

^Z^^L^^- 


fr 


WAR  BOOK 

of 

"E"  Company,  364^  Infantry 


"Ever  ready" 
9ist  DIVISION 


- "  •  * 


DEDICATION          /  ^ 


To  those  who  have  "Gone  West/'  this  book  is  dedicated  by 
those  who  came  back.  Those  who  gave  up  their  lives  did  so  for 
-ransp  and  countrv.  Thcv  were  brave  men,  and  the  men  of 


-ines 


disease 


DEDICATION 


To  those  who  have  "Gone  West/'  this  book  is  dedicated  by 
those  who  came  back.  Those  who  gave  up  their  lives  did  so  for 
cause  and  country.  They  were  brave  men,  and  the  men  of 
"E"  Company,  364th  Infantry,  will  ever  remember: 


Chester  A.  Alstrum,  Private, 

Theodore  Anderson,   Private, 

Ray  Branson,  Private, 

John  J.  Cress,  Private, 

Walter  Fleischhauer,  Private, 

Jesse  L.  Foster,  Private  1st  Cl. 

William  H.  Gilborne,  Private, 

Frank  J.  Hagen,  Private, 

Albert  Harden,  Corporal  M.  G.   Co., 

Clinton  C.  Hendrix,  Private  1st  Cl. 

Doak  Holder,  Private, 

Lawrence  S.  Johnston,  Private  "D"  Co., 

Herman  C.  Malchow,  Private, 

William   D.  Miller,  Corporal. 

Ross  Moore,  Private, 

Rufus  Xeel,  Private, 

Herbert  A.  Xelson,   Private, 

Manuel  M.  A.  Ortiz,  Private  1st  Cl., 

Grover  T.  Porter,  Private  1st  Cl., 

Mack  J.  Rubidoux,  Corporal, 

Edmond  Schollaert,  Private, 

John  S.  Stump,  Private  1st  Cl., 

Edward  R.  Van  den  Berg,  Private, 

Howard 'E.  Waller,  Private, 

Roy  Weidenbach,   Private, 

Owen  Wisbey,  Private  Supply  Co., 


Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Died  of  disease 

Died  of  wounds 

Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Died  of  disease 

Killed  in  action 

Died  of  wounds 

Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Died  of  wounds 

Killed  in  action 

Died  of  accidental  injuries 

Killed  in  action 

Killed  in  action 

Died  of  wounds  and  disease 


Fades  the  light; 
And  afar 
Goeth    day, 
Cometh  night; 
And  a  star 
Leadeth  all, 
Speedeth  all 
To  their  rest. 


(Taps) 


ern rr  ** :- 


This  book  is  issued  as  a  record  of  "E"  Company,  364th 
Infantry  and  the  men  who  passed  thru  its  ranks.  The  story 
is  somewhat  intimate  and  detailed  in  character  because  it  was 
written  for  the  men  and  about  the  men.  There  are  probably 
many  errors  and  omissions  in  the  text,  but  dates,  details, 
names  and  addresses  were  taken  from  the  best  available 
sources  of  information. 

Credit  is  due  to  David  X.  Millan,  Malcolm  C.  Bruce, 
Arnold  E.  Johnson,  Wambold  H.  McCune,  Roderick  L. 
Works,  Frank  G.  Young,  Roy  T.  Weston,  Arthur  L.  Wynne, 
Ernest  W.  Schwertferger,  Bert  C.  Van  Osdoll,  Elmer  L. 
Bernard,  George  J.  Arnold,  Calvin  C.  Cooke,  Samuel  Gold- 
feder,  Floyd  Overman,  Amos  S.  Tille,  Joseph  A.  Ardit,  and 
many  others  for  information  and  material.  To  David  X. 
Millan  should  be  credited  the  entire  outline  of  the  story 
from  the  Meuse-Argonne  front  to  San  Diego.  To  Calvin  C. 
Cooke,  particular  thanks  should  be  given,  for  he  donated  the 
use  of  his  diary  and  thereby  revealed  many  secret  expeditions. 

It  was  hoped  to  produce  a  more  elaborate  book  with  many 
illustrations,  but  the  present  cost  of  printing,  paper  and 
photo  engravings  have  necessitated  this  simple  form  of  book. 
Text  takes  the  place  of  illustrations.  This  is  the  story  of  an 
infantry  company  that  is  proud  of  its  record  and  has  good 
reason  to  be  proud  of  its  service. 


ADOLPHUS  E.  GRAUPXER,  Editor. 


May,  1920. 


I.     THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  91st  DIVISION. 

Camp  Lewis,  Washington,  was  selected  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment as  the  mobilization  and  training  area  for  the  drafted  men 
from  California,  Oregon,  Washington,  Nevada,  Utah,  Idaho, 
Montana  and  Alaska.  The  first  organization  to  be  formed  there 
was  the  Ninety-first,  generally  and  officially  nick-named  the 
"Wild  West"  Division.  It  was  made  up  of  the  following  units: 
the  181st  Infantry  Brigade,  comprising  the  361st  and  362nd  In- 
fantry Regiments;  the  182nd  Infantry  Brigade,  comprising  the 
363rd  and  364th  Infantry  Regiments;  the  166th  Field  Artillery 
Brigade,  comprising  the  346th,  347th  and  348th  Field  Artillery 
Regiments  and  the  316th  Trench  Mortar  Battery;  316th  Engi- 
neers, 316th  Trains  and  Military  Police;  316th  Sanitary  Trains; 
346th,  347th  and  348th  Machine  Gun  Battalions;  316th  Field 
Signal  Battalion;  Divisional  Headquarters'  Troop,  and  some 
smaller  and  miscellaneous  units. 

Major-General  H.  A.  Greene  was  placed  in  command  of 
Camp  Lewis  with  the  task  of  organizing  the  91st  Division.  On 
September  4,  1917,  General  Order  No.  2  was  published  assign- 
ing officers  to  the  staff  and  units  of  the  Division.  Brigadier- 
General  Frederick  S.  Foltz  was  assigned  to  command  the  182nd 
Infantry  Brigade  and  the  following  field  officers  were  assigned 
to  the  364th  Infantry :  Colonel  Elmer  W.  Clark,  Lieut.-Colonels 
T.  B.  Taylor  and«Allen  Smith,  and  Majors  C.  C.  Naylor,  Walter 
H.  Gregory,  George  M.  Davis  and  Norris  J.  Shupe.  The  officers 
commissioned  from  the  Seventh  and  Eighth  Training  Com- 
panies of  the  Reserve  Officers'  Training  Camp  of  the  Presidio 
of  San  Francisco,  were  ordered  to  report  to  the  commanding 
bfficer  of  the  364th  Infantry  for  assignment  to  organization  and 
duty. 

On  September  5th,  1917,  Col.  Clark  assigned  Major  Walter 
H.  Gregory  to  command  the  second  battalion  of  the  364th  In- 
fantry, and  the  following-  officers  to  "E"  Company:  Captain 
Adolphus  E.  Graupner,  1st  Lieut.  Harry  W.  Russell,  2nd  Lieuts. 
Malcolm  C.  Bruce,  David  N.  Millan,  James  N.  Young,  Carl  H. 
Blattner  and  Orren  E.  Osburn.  Subsequently,  on  September 
14th,  1st  Lieut.  Phillip  Sampson,  battalion  physical  director, 
was  attached  to  the  company.  There  were  many  changes  among 
officers  assigned  and  attached  to  the  company,  which  for  con- 
venience are  set  forth  in  the  Roster  of  Officers.  Thus  began 
"E"  Company.  Barracks  48  on  the  south  side  of  the  cantonment 
were  assigned  to  the  company,  and,  under  the  tables  of  organiza- 
tion then  existing,  it  provided  adequate  accommodations.  Lieut. 
Millan  was  charged  with  arranging  the  details  for  the  kitchen 
and  mess,  and  Lieut.  Osburn  was  placed  in  charge  of  supplies 
and  equipment. 

At  this  stage,  tho  draft  men  had  arrived  in  Camp  Lewis, 
no  men  had  been  assigned  to  the  company.  Lieut.  Russell  was 
made  acting  Battalion  Adjutant.  Lieuts.  Bruce  and  Young  were 
detailed  to  the  registration  of  the  drafted  men,  and  Lieut.  Blatt- 
ner was  assigned  to  duty  as  a  supervising  mess  officer  in  the 
Camp.  Capt.  Graupner  and  Lieuts.  Millan  and  Osburn  shed 


10*. :  .• ;  y; .,-  *; : ..:  .'-'THE  "WAR  BOOK" 


their  blouses  and  went  to  work  to  prepare  to  receive  the  drafted 
men.  Barracks  48  had  been  used  to  quarter  offi-cers  when  they 
arrived  in  Camp  the  latter  part  of  August.  All  of  the  assigned 
officers  had  moved  out,  but  there  still  remained  a  number  of 
medical,  dental  and  veterinary  officers.  Getting  rid  of  the 
"medics"  was  some  task,  but,  after  making  himself  somewhat 
unpopular,  Capt.  Graupner  persuaded  them  to  find  different 
quarters. 

When  it  came  to  fitting  up  the  barracks  for  work  and  habi- 
tation, it  was  found  necessary  to  do  some  "collecting."  There 
was  no  furniture,  no  lumber,  no  nails,  no  tools,  no  anything,  so 
the  officers  "collected"  sufficient  materials  to  work  with.  More 
cooking  utensils  and  some  shovels  and  picks  were  needed,  and 
Lieut.  Millan  then  proved  that  his  training  as  a  bank  cashier 
was  a  great  aid  to  him  in  "collecting"  things  for  the  company. 
Capt.  Graupner  and  Lieut.  Osburn  built  shelves,  tables  and  stools 
for  the  orderly  room,  while,  on  account  of  superior  finesse, 
Lieut.  Millan  foraged.  He  took  five  three-gallon  boilers  to  the 
Q.  M.  Depot  and  persuaded  the  Quartermaster  that  they  were 
coffee  boilers  and  induced  him  to  exchange  the  five  for  two 
fifteen-gallon  coffee  percolators.  After  he  got  possession  of  the 
percolators  he  persuaded  the  Quartermaster  into  believing  that 
the  three-gallon  boilers  were  stew  kettles  and  that  the  company 
was  entitled  to  them  as  a  part  of  its  kitchen  equipment,  and 
brought  the  whole  outfit  back  to  barracks.  Lieut.  Millan  also 
abducted  a  large  refrigerator  that  seemed  to  have  no  home  or 
guardian,  and  provided  the  company  with  an  adequate  cooler 
for  its  meat  and  food  long  before  any  other  company  in  the 
regiment  had  anything  larger  than  an  ice  box. 

The  first  drafted  men  arrived  at  Camp  Lewis  on  September 
5th,  1917.  They  were  brought  from  Seattle  and  Tacoma.  On 
vSeptember  8th  the  first  of  the  men  for  the  364th  Infantry  arrived, 
and  the  next  three  days  brought  more  of  them.  It  was  then 
intended  that  the  regiment  would  be  composed  solely  of  men 
from  Southern  California.  These  "first  five  per  cent"  men  were 
quartered  in  Barracks  17,  27,  37  and  47  until  they  could  be 
assigned  to  companies. 

The  first  three  installments  of  the  drafted  men  were  not 
sent  to  the  Depot  Brigade  for  muster  into  the  service,  nor  did 
they  meet  the  smooth  working  machinery  for  registration,  exam- 
ination and  quarantine  which  was  afterward  perfected.  These 
first  installments  were  given  a  perfunctory  physical  examination 
when  they  came  off  the  train  and  were  then  marched  directly  to 
headquarters  of  various  units  for  assignments  to  companies. 
They  remained  with  these  organizations  during  the  period  of 
mustering  into  service  and,  if  found  unfit  for  service,  were  dis- 
charged. Subsequently  installments  of  the  draft  men  were  sent 
directly  to  the  166th  Depot  Brigade,  and  there  mustered  into  ser- 
vice 'or  discharged.  After  a  period  of  quarantine,  those  men  ac- 
cepted for  service  were  distributed  to  the  units  of  the  Division  as 
required. 


OF   E    CO.,    364TH    IXF.  11 

II.     THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  "E"  COMPANY. 

"Good-bye  maw,  good-bye  t>ai<.' 

Good-bye  mule,  with  your  old  hee  haw! 
I  don't  know  -tc7m/  this  war's  about, 

But  you   bet,  by  gosh,  I'll  soon  find   out" 

(Long  Boy) 

On  September  15th,  1917,  the  ''first  five  per  cent"  draft  men 
were  assigned  to  "E"  Companay.  On  September  16th,  non- 
commissioned officers  transferred  from  regular  units  were 
assigned.  These  thirty-eight  men  constituted  the  nucleus  of  the 
company.  The  following  named  men  were  the  first  thirty-three : 
Robert  F.  Morris,  Rufus  H.  Xeel,  James  White,  Robert  Shep- 
pard,  Xafsgar,  Clarence  Yoder,  Eric  Pedley,  Howard  E.  Waite, 
Frank  G.  Young,  Leland  U.  Lucas,  Edward  Brown,  Calvin  C. 
Cooke,  Richard  Hoyt,  John  H.  Lindley,  Hugh  Gulley,  Harold  W. 
Watson,  Lawrence  S.  Johnston,  Arthur  L.  Wynne,  Harold  A. 
Powell,  Claude  M.  Stidham,  John  J.  Walker,  Ali  Ferrasci,  Ivor 
F.  Torrey,  John  P.  McAdam,  Elmer  L.  Bernard,  Harold  Batch- 
elder,  Charles  E.  Brockman,  Courtney  McCracken,  Leo  B. 
Wittenbracher,  Roy  H.  Hill,  —  Snyder,  Arthur  Gusler  and 
George  Z.  Duke. 

Of  the  regular  army  detail,  Sergeant  Lemuel  C.  Kreutz  was 
made  1st  Sergeant;  Corporal  Avid  E.  Fogelberg,  was  made 
Supply  Sergeant,  and  the  other  three,  Sergeant  Virgil  Hall,  Cor- 
poral James  McCall  and  Private  1st  Class  Gay,  were  assigned  to 
act  as  duty  sergeants. 

With  men  in  barracks  it  became  necessary  to  have  cooks 
and  fatigue  details.  The  men  were  assembled  in  the  mess  hall 
in  order  that  something  might  be  learned  of  their  occupations 
and  abilities.  It  was  known  that  George  Z.  Duke  was  a  cook, 
bat  more  than  one  was  needed.  On  being  asked  whether  or  not 
any  of  them  could  cook,  all  but  Duke  remained  silent.  When 
the  men  were  asked  whether  or  not  any  of  them  had  previous 
military  experience,  five  admitted  previous  service.  Of  these 
Lawrence  S.  Johnston  was  assigned  to  duty  as  acting  mess  ser- 
geant, to  which  grade  he  was  afterward  warranted,  and  Arthur 
Gusler  was  detailed  to  assist  Cook  Duke.  The  remainder  of  the 
men  were  assigned  to  various  fatigue  duties. 

After  Gusler  had  gone  to  work  in  the  kitchen,  Sergeant 
Kreutz  entered  the  orderly  room  with  a  broad  grin  on  his  face 
and  told  of  the  joke  which  Capt.  Graupner  had  innocently  perpe- 
trated. Gusler  hau  done  a  "hitch"  in  the  Coast  Artillery  as 
cook,  but,  when  drafted,  he  determined  to  hide  his  previous  ex- 
perience and  serve  as  a  buck  private.  After  he  had  been  ordered 
to  the  kitchen  he  went  to  the  top  sergeant  and  asked  confiden- 
tially "how  in  h the  skipper  knew  he  had  been  a  cook." 

However,  his  previous  experience  was  a  great  aid  to  the  com- 
pany in  showing  the  other  cooks  how  to  handle  the  army 
ration. 

The  days  between  the  arrival  of  the  "first  five  per  cent"  and 
the  second  installment  of  the  draft  men  were  busy  ones,  and 


12  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


given  over  entirely  to  fatigue  work.  Barracks  had  to  be  cleaned 
and  scrubbed,  bunks  set  up,  windows  washed,  the  ground  out- 
side policed  and  levelled,  walks  and  drains  constructed,  and 
numberless  small  details  cared  for.  Frank  G.  Young  and 
Howard  Waite,  afterwards  sergeants,  were  set  to  work  building 
bins,  shelves,  lockers  and  benches  for  the  kitchen.  .While  at  that 
work  Young  was  initiated  into  "collecting"  lumber,  materials 
and  tools,  and  became  such  an  ad'ept  that  subsequently  he  cor- 
ralled a  complete  set  of  tables  and  bins  that  someone  left  ex- 
posed to  the  night  air.  Arthur  L.  Wynne  developed  into  an  able 
"collector"  while  acting  as  assistant  to  Supply  Sergt.  Fogel- 
berg,  and  subsequently  got  his  chevrons  when  Fogelberg  became 
"top  cutter."  When  a  final  property  settlement  was  made  at 
Camp  Lewis,  Wynne  had  sufficient  extras  on  hand  to  stock  a 
Dinuba  store.  Some  of  the  fatigue  details  were  not  congenial 
to  the  men,  but  they  did  their  work  cheerfully.  Eric  Pedley  was 
assigned  to  the  task  of  scrubbing  floors  in  the  officers'  quarters. 
An  officer  who  had  seen  him  play  polo  and  thought  all  polo 
players  millionaires,  went  to  Capt.  Graupner  and  said,  "Do  you 
know  that  you  are  having  a  millionaire  scrub  your  quarters?" 

On  September  22nd,  1917,  eleven  days  after  the  arrival  of 
the  first  men,  the  second  installment  of  the  drafted  men  arrived 
in  camp,  and  "E"  Company  received  a  large  number  of  men  from 
San  Diego.  The  third  installment  arrived  October  1st  and  al- 
most completed  the  company's  quota  of  men.  It  was  amusing 
to  observe  the  ten  and  twenty  day  "veterans"  receive  the  newly 
arrived.  As  the  "rookies"  marched  by  the  barracks  a  chorus  of 
voices  would  arise.  First  would  come  the  question  "Where  do 
you  come  from?"  and  then  would  follow  disparaging  remarks 
about  "hay  seeds"  and  "tender  feet."  Thus  quickly  did  the  men 
assume  the  attitude  of  soldier  toward  civilian.  As  the  new  men 
arrived  they  found  it  hard  to  adapt  themselves  to  new  conditions, 
and  the  veterans  of  two  and  three  weeks  did  not  aid  them  much. 
One  of  the  men  of  the  third  installment,  when  told  to  take  his 
bed-sack  outside  and  fill  it  at  the  straw  pile,  was  heard  to  say, 
"Why  they  weren't  even  expecting  us,  they  haven't  made  our 
beds." 

With  the  arrival  of  the  second  installment  the  work  of 
training  began.  The  huge  parade  ground  rang  to  the  sound  of 
hundreds  of  voices  shouting  commands  and  explanations.  In 
the  midst  of  clouds  of  dust  the  recruits  learned  how  to  assume 
the  position  of  a  soldier,  to  march,  to  do  the  facings  and  squads 
right  and  left. 

None  of  the  early  arrivals  will  ever  forget  Corporal  McCall 
and  his  complete  mastery  of  the  Infantry  Drill  Regulations.  Nor 
will  the  officers  forget  his  contempt  for  citizen  soldiers  and  his 
attempts  to  master  the  officers  from  the  colonel  down  to  the 
lieutenants.  Many  were  the  mistakes  made  and  slowr  was  the 
development  of  some,  but  all  tried  hard.  Eric  Pedley  and  How- 
ard Waite  were  soon  acting  as  drill  sergeants;  their  training  in 
the  Students'  Army  Training  Corps  at  Leland  Stanford  Junior 
University  had  put  them  far  ahead  of  most  of  the  men.  But 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  13 

gradually  others  forged  ahead  and  proved  themselves  worthy  of 
promotion. 

From  the  time  the  regiment  was  organized,  Major  Gregory 
had  empjoyed  Lieut.  H.  W.  Russell  as  battalion  adjutant,  and, 
in  October,  he  was  assigned  to  that  duty  and  the  company  lost 
his  services.  Second  Lieut.  Patrick  D.  Ryan  was  transferred 
from  "G"  Company  to  complete  the  quota  of  officers  for  "E" 
Company,  and  remained  until  his  promotion  to  1st  Lieutenant, 
January  22,  1918,  when  he  was  re-assigned  to  "F"  Company. 
Major  Gregory  was  nick-named  "Daddy"  by  the  men,  and  all 
looked  to  him  with  respect  and  affection.  He  was  interested  in 
every  man  in  the  battalion  and  knew  every  officer  and  non- 
commissioned officer  by  name.  He  was  anxious  to  make  the 
2nd  Battalion  the  leading  one  of  the  regiment,  and  officers  and 
men  did  their  best  for  him.  With  the  officers,  the  Major  was 
both  superior  and  friend;  toward  the  men  he  was  always  con- 
siderate. He  was  always  kindly  in  criticism,  broadminded  in 
giving  advice,  and  reasonable  in  giving  orders.  With  the  spirit 
which  he  engendered  the  companies  all  strove  to  accomplish  his 
ambitions  for  the  battalion. 

Equipment  was  slow  in  coming.  Pie-bald  civilian  clothing 
was  the  vogue  for  many  weeks,  and  articles  of  uniform  were 
received  on  the  installment  plan.  Lack  of  uniforms  was  due,  in 
great  part,  to  the  fact  that  the  western  men  were  of  greater 
size  than  the  average  of  men  in  the  old  regular  army.  New 
contracts  had  to  be  let  for  larger  sized  blouses  and  breeches.  The 
government  arsenals  had  not  sufficient  equipment  to  turn  out 
Springfield  rifles  for  the  new  army,  and  the  division  had  to 
await  the  manufacture  of  the  so-called  "New  Enfield  rifle"  under 
private  contracts.  Belts,  scabbards  and  packs  were  also  depen- 
dent on  new  contracts.  Then  our  division  was  required  to  wait 
while  divisions  nearer  the  embarkation  centers  were  equipped. 
Gradually,  however,  clothing  and  equipment  arrived,  and  as  the 
men  were  uniformed  they  looked  and  acted  more  like  soldiers. 
But  ,as  late  as  February  of  1918,  there  were  men  without 
blouses.  So  often  were  the  men  refused  clothing,  on  account  of 
shortage,  that  Supply-Sergeant  Wynne  was  given  the  name 
"Xo  Clothes." 

The  drafted  men  proved  many  things  to  the  public  mind. 
They  demonstrated,  above  all,  that  they  were  Americans  who 
were  willing  to  play  the  grim  game  of  war.  Dreadful  prophecies 
had  been  made  concerning  the  conduct  of  the  drafted  men  in  the 
army.  It  was  said  that  they  would  sulk,  that  they  would  mutiny, 
that  they  could  not  be  trained,  and  that  they  would  not  fight. 
But  the  croakers  were  disappointed  on  every  foul  prophecy.  Xo 
finer  men  could  be  asked  for.  Xo  army  in  the  world  ever  had 
better  soldiers  or  better  fighters. 

From  time  to  time  after  the  entry  of  the  United  States 
into  the  war,  changes  were  made  in  the  tables  of  organization. 
Infantry  companies  were  changed  in  strength  and  equipment. 
First  they  were  enlarged  to  companies  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  then  to  two  hundred,  and  finally,  to  two  hundred  and  fifty. 


14  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


With  the  increased  number,  additional  barrack  facilities  were 
required,  and  a  shift  was  made  in  the  assignment  of  quarters. 
"E"  Company  was  given  Barracks  47  and  the  upper  floor  of 
Barracks  48.  This  necessitated  the  changing  of  kitchens,  mess 
halls,  orderly  rooms  and  supply  rooms,  and  entailed  much  labor 
and  confusion.  Barracks  47  had  been  occupied  by  "I"  Com- 
pany, and  when  it  was  taken  over  every  coat  hook,  electric 
lamp  and  movable  convenience  was  found  to  have  been  removed. 
It  was  a  hard  task  to  make  "I"  Company  disgorge,  but  they 
finally  restored  the  articles  which  they  had  taken  to  add  to  the 
comfort  of  their  new  barracks. 

The  invariable  result  of  bringing  large  numbers  of  men  in 
close  contact  is  disease.  At  Camp  Lewis,  mumps,  measles  and 
scarlet  fever  ran  through  all  of  the  organizations,  while  spinal 
meningitis  broke  out  in  many.  These  epidemics  brought  quar- 
antine to  the  companies  in  which  disease  appeared.  "E"  Com- 
pany had  its  share  of  quarantine.  Mumps  would  develop  and 
we  would  be  quarantined.  The  ban  would  raise  and  then 
measles  would  appear.  Again  we  would  have  a  clear  record 
and  then  scarlet  fever  would  break  out.  At  one  time  the  com- 
pany was  in  quarantine  for  all  three  of  the  minor  diseases,  but 
it  escaped  spinal  meningitis  and  its  terrors.  During  quarantine 
the  men  observed  the  restrictions  fairly  well.  Once,  however, 
they  had  a  parade  without  the  knowledge  of  the  C.  O.  It  is  hard 
to  say  who  was  responsible,  but,  without  much  more  than  a 
hint,  the  men  fell  m  behind  the  barracks  and  marched  to  see 
the  show  at  the  Liberty  Theatre.  Fortunately  they  were  not 
caught  in  the  act,  or  trouble  might  have  followed.  Some  in- 
dividuals, more  daring  than  others,  violated  quarantine  by  going 
into  Tacoma  and  keeping  on  the  shady  side  of  the  street.  They 
might  have  infected  some  of  the  Tacoma  citizens,  but  probably 
acted  on  the  theory  that  Tacoma  was  too  slow  to  catch  anything. 
If  there  can  be  any  humor  in  such  a  thing  as  a  quarantine,  the 
event  happened  for  the  benefit  of  "E"  and  the  detriment  of  "I" 
Company.  Through  some  clerical  error  at  regimental  head- 
quarters, "I"  Company  was  quarantined  for  scarlet  fever  in  place 
of  "E"  Company,  and  served  out  a  week  of  the  quarantine  before 
the  mistake  was  discovered. 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    INF. 


III.     TRAINING  AT  CAMP  LEWIS. 

"Oh!  how  I  hate  to  get  up  in  the  morning, 
Oh!  how  I'd  love  to  remain  in  bed, 

For  the  hardest  blow  of  all 

Is  to  hear  the  bugler  call; 
You've  go  to  get  up,  you've  got  to  get  up, 
You've  got  to  get  up  this  morning! 
Some  day  I'm  going  to  murder  the  bugler, 
Some  day  they're  going  to  find  him  dead : 

I'll  amputate  his  reveille, 

And  step  upon  it  heavily, 
And  spend  the  rest  of  my  life  in  bed." 

(Oh!  How  I  Hate  to  Get  Up  in  the  Morning.) 

Training  at  Camp  Lewis  was  arduous,  monotonous  and 
discouraging.  Time  and  again,  when  the  ranks  of  the  company 
would  be  filled  and  the  men  proficient  in  elementary  drill, 
detachments  would  be  taken  away  and  sent  to  other  units.  New 
and  raw  recruits  would  fill  the  vacated  ranks,  and  it  would  be 
necessary  to  go  back  to  i  adimentary  drill  again.  This  was  hard 
on  officers  and  men,  and  delayed  the  training  in  field  service. 
The  hours  were  long  and  the  work  was  hard  on  every  one. 
When  evening  came  every  man  was  ready  for  supper  and  sleep. 
A  typical  day's  schedule  is  published,  for  fear  that  someone 
might  forget  it. 

5  :45  A.  M.— First  call. 
6 :00  A.  M.— Reveille. 
6:15  A.M.— Mess  call. 
6:45-  7:15  A.M. — Policing  of  quarters. 

7:15  A.M. — Inspection   of   quarters. 
7  :30-  8 :30  A.  M.— Physical  drill. 

8 :30-  9  :30  A.  M. — School  of  the  soldier  and  school  of  the  squad. 
9:30-10:30  A.  M.— Lecture. 
10:30-11:30  A.  M.— Bayonet   instruction. 
11:30  A.M.— Recall. 
12:OOXoon.— Mess  call. 
1 :00  P.  M.— Assembly. 

1  :00-   1  :30  P.  M.— Sighting  and  aiming  drill. 

1 :30-  2  :30  P.  M. — Manual  of  arms,  platoon  and  company  drill. 

2  :30-  3  :30  P.  M.— Lecture. 

3:30-  4:30  P.M. — Bombing,  boxing  or  games. 

4:30  P.M.— Recall. 

4:45  P.M.— First  call. 

4:55  P.M. — Assembly. 

5  :00  P.  M.— Retreat, 

5  :05  P.  M.— Mess  call. 
6:30-  7:30  P.  M. — Xon-commissioned  officers'  school. 

9:00  P.  M.— Tattoo. 

9  :30  P.  M.— Quarters. 
10:00  P.M.— Taps   (The  End  of  a  Perfect  Day). 

This  schedule  was  varied  by  platoon  and  company 
maneuvers,  battalion  or  regimental  marches,  target  practice, 
trench  construction  and  battalion  or  regimental  parades.  After 
supper  the  men  had  "nothing  to  do"  but  shave,  bathe,  get  their 


16  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


hair  cut,  clean  their  equipment,  rifles  and  shoes,  wash  their 
clothes,  write  letters  home,  and  sleep.  During  the  early  period 
of  divisional  training  Wednesday  afternoon  was  a  half  holiday 
and  the  men  were  allowed  to  leave  comp  on  pass.  But  during 
the  last  weeks,  Wednesday  afternoon  holidays  ceased.  Satur- 
day afternoons  and  Sundays  were  always  days  of  recreation  and 
rest,  excepting  for  those  who  were  awarded  extra  fatigue  work 
as  punishment.  Saturday  morning  was  generally  given  up  to 
policing  quarters  and  inspection. 

Lectures  were  generally  given  by  the  company  officers  and 
included  a  wide  range  of  subjects,  such  as:  The  Punative 
Articles  of  War,  The  Standard  of  Morale,  Military  Discipline 
and  Gourtesy,  Nomenclature  and  Care  of  the  Rifle,  "Equipment 
C"  and  its  care,  The  Spirit  and  Use  of  the  Bayonet,  Personal 
Hygiene  and  Care  of  the  Feet,  First  Aid,  Obligations  and  Rights 
of  the  Soldier,  Map  Reading  and  Sketching,  Automatic  Rifles 
and  Their  Use,  Grenades  and  Their  Construction,  Field  Service, 
Patroling  and  Scouting,  Advance  Guards,  Outposts,  Interior 
Guard  Duty,  Liaison  and  Communication,  Machine  Guns,  Gas 
in  Wrarfare,  Why  We  Are  at  War,  The  History  and  Causes  of 
the  War,  and  a  number  of  other  subjects.  The  preparation  of 
these  lectures  kept  the  officers  busy  in  their  odd  hours  and 
tested  their  resourcefulness.  Their  purpose  was  not  only  to 
instruct  the  men  concerning  their  duties,  rights  and  obligations, 
but  to  inform  them,  as  far  as  possible,  what  they  were  to  meet 
in  actual  warfare.  It  is  questionable  who  suffered  the  most  from 
these  lectures — the  tired  men  who  had  to  hear  them  over  and 
over  again,  or  the  officers  who  had  to  work  late  at  night  to 
prepare  them. 

The  school  for  non-commissioned  officers  was  maintained 
for  the  additional  instruction  of  those  holding  or  seeking  war- 
rants. It  was,  however,  a  severe  test  on  their  ambitions  and 
strength  to  require  them  to  attend  an  hour  of  lecture  after  a 
day  of  hard  work.  Many  different  methods  of  instruction  might 
have  been  devised,  but  the  one  adopted  was  that  ordered  by  the 
Division  commander.  For  five  nights  in  each  week  those  who 
sought  promotion  attended  this  school.  They  sacrificed  much 
of  their  leisure  time  and  recreation  to  the  end  that  they  might 
advance.  Those  men  who  won  their  chevrons  proved  in  battle 
that  their  sacrifices  had  not  been  in  vain,  and  there  they  dis- 
played those  qualities  of  leadership  which  the  instruction  sought 
to  develop. 

Target  practice  required  much  time,  long  hours  and  ex- 
posure to  various  kinds  of  weather,  but  everyone  enjoyed  the 
work  and  it  was  profitable.  Range  firing  was  a  test  of  ability 
and  afforded  a  chance  for  competition,  which  every  man  enjoyed. 
None  of  those  present  at  the  first  range  practice  will  forget 
Cook  Duke's  instruction  in  rifle  practice.  When  he  first  came 
on  the  firing  line  he  missed  the  target  consistently.  However, 
after  careful  instruction  and  coaching  he  became  peeved  when- 
ever he  failed  to  score  a  bull.  His  shrieks  of  laughter  when  he 
made  a  "five"  could  be  heard  the  length  of  the  company  firing 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    IXF.  17 

line ;  as  could  also  his  complaints  and  explanations  when  he  fell 
below  that  score. 

Tom  Oliver  proved  a  star  of  another  class.  Oliver  was  so 
much  afraid  of  being  transferred  or  discharged  that  he  attempted 
to  conceal  his  defective  eyesight.  After  observing  Oliver  get 
the  raspberry  flag  five  consecutive  times.  Capt.  Graupner 
attempted  to  coach  him.  Oliver  listened  patiently  to  instruc- 
tions, raised  his  rifle,  and  got  another  red  flag.  He  stalled  along, 
however,  until  it  came  to  rapid  fire,  then,  before  the  targets 
came  up,  Oliver  fired.  We  will  tell  the  story  in  Goldfeder's 
way : 

Capt.  G. — Oliver,  what  in  h are  you  shooting  at? 

Oliver — At  the  targets,   sir. 

Capt.  G. — Better  wait  until  they  come  up,  there  are  none 
in  sight  yet. 

Oliver — All  right,  sir. 

Tom  afterward  transferred  to  the  M.  P.,  where  he  was  not 
required  to  shoot  and  where  he  did  so  much  toward  winning 
the  war  that  he  was  made  a  sergeant. 

A  divisional  school  of  arms  was  established  to  which  officers 
and  non-commissioned  officers  were  sent  for  special  instruction. 
There  instruction  was  given  in  bayonet  work,  musketry,  use  of 
automatic  rifles,  use  of  grenades,  fortification,  gas  protection, 
trench  mortar  practice,  signaling,  and  sniping  and  observing. 
In  addition,  special  classes  were  organized  for  training  men  in 
the  use  of  the  Lewis  gun.  The  men  were  selected  from  the 
automatic  rifle  sections.  Officers  and  non-commissioned  officers 
who  received  instruction  at  these  specialty  classes,  in  turn  in- 
structed the  men  of  the  company.  None  of  the  men  will  ever 
forget  Lieut.  Elmer  H.  (Cy)  Noble  and  his  vigorous  bayonet 
instruction.  His  good  nature  and  "pep"  instilled  every  man  with 
the  desire  to  do  things.  His  death  on  the  morning  of  the  first 
day  of  the  Meuse-Argonne  battle  is  mourned  by  every  one  in 
the  regiment. 

Gas  instruction  was  given  to  every  man.  Gas  mask  practice 
was  uncomfortable  but  necessary.  Sergeants  Daniels  and 
Holder  did  excellent  work  in  this  training  and  deserve  much 
credit.  Sergeants  Salmon  and  Jones  likewise  deserve  much 
credit  for  the  work  done  by  them  in  the  Lewis  gun  practice  on 
the  miniature  range.  Lieut.  Millan  and  Sergeant  Pedley  did 
remarkable  work  in  bayonet  instruction  and  were  warmly  praised 
by  Lieut.  Noble.  The  rigorous  training  and  the  resulting  phy- 
sical strain  developed  most  of  the  men  in  a  wonderful  fashion, 
but  it  also  brought  out  latent  physical  defects  in  many  of  them. 
While  it  brought  broad  shoulders,  deep  chests  and  increase  in 
weight  to  the  majority,  it  developed  flat  feet,  weak  ankles  and 
weak  hearts  in  others.  As  a  result  many  men  were  discharged 
on  surgeon's  certificates  of  disability. 

The  constant  withdrawal  of  men  from  the  company  and 
their  transfer  to  other  organizations  had  a  serious  effect  on  the 
morale  of  the  men  remaining.  All  hoped  to  have  a  unit  that 
would  be  a  happy  family.  But  no  sooner  would  the  men  grow 


18  THE   "WAR   BOOK" 


to  know  each  other  than  a  transfer,  with  the  consequent  re- 
placements from  the  Depot  Brigade,  would  change  the  whole 
relationship.  The  first  large  contingent  of  men  to  be  taken  away 
was  the  one  sent  to  the  41st  Division.  There  were  transfers  to 
the  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  otherwise  known  as  the 
"Spruce  Division",  to  the  General  Headquarters  Detachment, 
A.  E.  F.,  to  refill  the  ranks  of  the  Supply  and  Machine  Gun 
Companies,  for  replacements  to  other  divisions,  for  specialists 
for  other  branches  of  the  service,  and  for  various  purposes.  In 
addition,  there  were  many  voluntary  transfers.  The  constant 
shifting  of  men  from  squad  to  squad,  platoon  to  platoon,  and 
barracks  to  barracks,  as  a  result  of  these  transfers  and  replace- 
ments, retarded  the  development  of  company  spirit. 

There  was  also  a  shifting  of  officers.  Those  within  the  com- 
pany are  shown  by  the  roster.  Lieut.-Colonels  T.  B.  Taylor  and 
Allen  Smith  were  transferred  away  from  the  regiment,  and 
Lieut.-Colonel  Archie  J.  Harris  came  as  second  in  command. 
Colonel  Elmer  W.  Clark  became  ill  and  was  transferred  to  the 
166th  Depot  Brigade  while  on  sick  leave.  This  left  Lieut. -Col. 
Harris  in  command  of  the  regiment  for  almost  two  months. 
Col.  Peter  McD.  Weeks  was  then  assigned,  and  it  was  under  his 
command  that  the  regiment  went  overseas.  There  was  no 
change  in  the  command  of  the  2nd  Battalion,  which  was  very 
fortunate. 

In  spite  of  the  changes  and  transfers,  the  company  became  a 
well  disciplined  organization.  Lieut.  Bruce,  whose  training  at 
Culver  Military  Academy  had  well  fitted  him  for  the  task, 
attended  to  the  discipline  of  the  men  while  in  the  ranks.  At  times 
the  men  thought  him  severe,  but  all  came  to  appreciate  his  fair- 
ness and  the  fact  that  the  discipline  was  something  to  be  proud 
of.  On  January  22,  1918,  Lieutenants  Bruce,  Millan,  Young  and 
Ryan  were  promoted  to  1st  Lieutenants.  This  was  a  boost  to 
"E"  Company,  as  well  as  to  the  officers  promoted.  For  no  other 
company  in  the  division  had  so  many  officers  promoted  at  one 
time.  This  gave  the  company  one  1st  Lieutenant  over  its  quota, 
and  Lieut.  Ryan  was  transferred  to  "F"  Company.  Second 
Lieut.  Arnold  E.  Johnson  was  immediately  transferred  to  "E" 
from  "C"  Company  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  Lieut.  Ryan's 
transfer.  Second  Lieut.  Blattner  transferred  to  the  Q.M.C.  to 
take  command  of  a  Bakery  company.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Lieut.  Powell  Thomas,  who  transferred  almost  immediately  to 
the  field  artillery.  Lieut.  Will  D.  Rudd  then  came  to  the  com- 
pany, but  was  re-assigned  to  the  Supply  Company  after  a  short 
time.  Then  2nd  Lieut.  Wambold  H.  McCune  was  transferred 
from  "B"  Company,  and  he  remained  until  promoted  to  1st 
Lieutenant  and  made  battalion  adjutant. 

The  Third  Officers'  Training  Camp  was  opened  at  Camp 
Lewis  in  January  of  1918.  This  school  was  especially  for  the 
benefit  of  the  enlisted  men  and  gave  them  an  opportunity  to  gain 
commissions.  To  this  training  camp,  "E"  Company  sent 
1st  Sergeant  A.  E.  Fogelberg  and  Sergeants  Eric  Pedley,  How- 
ard Waite  and  William  A.  Smale.  All  of  them  graduated  and 


OF   E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  19 

were  commissioned  2nd  Lieutenants.  The  Fourth  Training 
Camp  opened  in  May,  and  to  it  Sergeant  Richard  Hoyt  and  Cor- 
porals Paul  Hyde  and  George  S.  Meeks  won  admission  by  com- 
petitive examination.  On  account  of  the  company  leaving  for 
France  before  the  Fourth  Camp  ended,  Hoyt,  Hyde  and  Meeks 
were  transferred  to  the  166th  Depot  Brigade.  Hoyt  and  Hyde 
subsequently  graduated  and  were  commissioned. 

The  scheme  of  training  for  the  division  called  for  practical 
instruction  in  entrenching  work.  An  extensive  system  of 
trenches  was  laid  out  by  the  316th  Engineers  and  defined  areas 
were  assigned  to  each  regiment  for  development.  This  work 
was  hard,  uninteresting,  and,  as  it  afterward  proved,  unneces- 
sary. The  work  was  not  carried  out  as  a  development  of  any 
problem  or  maneuver,  but  was  merely  drudgery  and  ditch  dig- 
ging. Every  third  day  the  2nd  Battalion  marched  out  to  the 
site  of  the  trenches  and  engaged  in  the  task  of  digging,  cutting 
brush,  wiring  and  revetting.  After  the  trenches  were  completed 
special  details  were  assigned  to  the  task  of  constructing  dug- 
outs. This  work  was  still  more  disagreeable,  for  it  involved 
night  details,  in  order  that  the  work  might  go  on  continuously. 
Officers  and  men  alike  were  glad  when  the  trenches,  which  were 
never  used,  were  finished  and  forgotten. 

Our  field  training  was  altogether  along  the  lines  of  the  old 
Field  Service  Regulations.  None  of  the  newly  developed  field 
service  or  deployments  were  taught,  or  allowed  to  be  taught ; 
though  the  French  officers  attached  to  the  division  were  anxious 
to  teach  it.  The  reason  for  this  will,,  in  all  probability,  never 
be  known.  There  were  many  things  done  and  left  undone  at 
Camp  Lewis,  which  would  make  interesting  stories,  if  the  rea- 
sons were  known. 


IV.     DIVERSIONS   AT   CAMP   LEWIS. 

"K-K-K-Katy,  beautiful  Katy, 

"You're  the  only  g-g-g-girl  that  I  adore; 
"When  the  m-m-m-moon  shines  over  the  c-coiv  shed, 

"I'll  be  waiting  at  the  k-k-k-kitchen  door." 

(K-K-K-Katy.) 

One  of  the  first  things  to  be  done  after  the  organization  of 
"E"  Company  was  to  create  a  company  fund.  This  was  done  in 
order  that  necessities,  luxuries  and  conveniences  might  be  pur- 
chased for  the  use  of  the  company  and  the  men.  The  fund  was 
originated  by  contributions  from  officers  and  men.  The  next 
addition  to  the  fund  came  from  the  proceeds  of  a  benefit  smoker 
promoted  by  "Sammy"  Goldfeder.  After  the  barber  and  tailor 
shops  were  established  they  brought  regular  monthly  returns  to 
the  fund.  While  ration  savings  built  up  the  mess  fund.  After 
a  few  months  dividends  from  the  regimental  exchange  brought 
considerable  additions  to  the  fund.  With  the  money,  conveni- 
ences were  constructed  in  the  barracks,  and  books,  boxing 


20  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


gloves,  baseball  paraphernalia,  and  entertainments  were  pro- 
vided. 

During  the  early  days  of  the  regiment  and  before  the 
Liberty  Theatre  was  opened,  regimental  and  company  smokers 
provided  the  entertainment  in  Camp.  "E"  Company  furnished 
more  than  its  share  of  the  boxers  and  entertainers  for  such 
events  in  the  regiment.  There  were  many  creditable  boxers 
among  the  men  of  the  company  and  they  generally  took  their 
share  of  the  prize  money.  Leonard  E.  Salmon,  "Sammy"  Gold- 
feder,  Fred  Carmel,  Phil  Wager,  George  Skattores  and  Eric 
Pedley  will  always  be  remembered  for  the  showing  they  made 
in  the  ring.  Perhaps  the  best  of  these  smokers  was  "E"  Com- 
pany's benefit.  Goldfeder  obtained  good  talent  and  put  the 
program  through  with  jazz  and  snap.  Boxing  was  made  a  part 
of  the  company's  training  schedule,  and  it  also  had  its  devotees 
during  recreation  and  rest  hours.  The  famous  bout  of  "Bug" 
Balloti  versus  Kaxeris,  "the  terrible  Greek,"  will  be  remembered 
for  many  a  long  day  by  the  men  who  saw  it. 

During  the  early  days  of  the  Camp,  swimming  was  popular 
and  necessary.  The  weather  was  warm,  the  Camp  dusty,  and 
bathing  facilities  had  not  been  installed.  Twice  each  week  the 
company  was  marched  down  to  American  Lake,  the  men  armed 
with  soap  and  towels.  Officers  and  men  thoroughly  enjoyed 
those  swims,  with  the  possible  exception  of  "Dirty  Neck."  He 
will  probably  never  forget,  though  he  will  not  remember  with 
pleasure,  the  day  he  was  spread-eagled  on  the  gravelly  lake 
shore  and  given  a  much  needed  scrubbing  with  floor  brush  and 
laundry  soap.  There  was  a  noticeable  improvement  in  the  stan- 
dard of  cleanliness  after  that  example. 

In  barracks  there  were  numerous  diversions  that  were  not 
of  a  public  character.  "Black  Jack,"  "stud,"  "draw"  and  the 
"bones"  served  to  pass  many  idle  moments  and  considerable 
money.  Tricks  and  pranks  were  played  on  one  another,  some 
of  which  were  not  always  appreciated.  Ballotti  bought  a  nice 
large  crab  in  Tacoma  and  carefully  carried  it  back  to  barracks. 
He  left  it  lying  on  his  bunk  for  a  minute,  while  he  went  to  see 
some  one  in  another  squad-room.  One  of  the  unregenerates 
stole  the  crab  and  got  away  with  it.  Ballotti  came  back  and 
hunted  high  and  low  for  his  crab,  but  could  not  find  it — "Who 
steala  my  bug?"  sounded  thru  the  barracks  like  a  wail. 

In  the  lower  squad-room  of  Barracks  47,  the  sergeants  con- 
ducted an  initiatory  ceremony  to  test  the  qualifications  of  newly 
warranted  N.  C.  O's,  and  also  to  harden  them  for  the  duties. 
When  it  was  learned  that  Cook  Duke  had  married,  a  portion  of 
the  initiatory  ceremonies  were  used  to  make  him  "come  thru" 
with  a  box  of  cigars.  Duke  did  not  appreciate  being  put  over 
a  barrel  and  paddled,  and  his  shrieks  of  anger  and  pain  roused 
the  whole  quarter. 

When  snow  came  it  was  hard  to  keep  the  Southern  Cali- 
fornia boys  from  smashing  the  barrack  windows  and  filling  the 
barracks  with  snow.  Much  snow  found  its  way  inside  and  was 
stuffed  down  the  necks  of  the  innocent  and  unsuspecting.  It 


OF   E    CO.,    364TH    IXF.  21 

was  necessary  to  give  every  one  a  chance  to  let  off  steam,  so 
the  company  was  ordered  to  fall  in.  The  men  were  marched  up 
the  hill,  along  the  road  by  the  bayonet  course,  where  the  fir  trees 
were  ladened  with  snow,  to  the  opening  in  the  woods,  where 
the  company  frequently  drilled.  There,  by  prearrangement 
among  the  officers,  the  company  was  divided,  two  platoons  on 
a  side,  and  deployed.  The  skipper  gave  the  command,  "With 
snowballs,  load,"  and  every  man  proceeded  to  roll  his  ammuni- 
tion. At  the  command  "fire  at  will"  the  platoons  went  at  each 
other  like  wildcats.  Half  an  hour  of  this  active  and  wet  work 
took  all  further  desire  for  snow  fighting  out  of  every  man. 

The  three  holiday  dinners  and  the  two  boat  excursions 
mark  the  most  important  of  the  company's  pleasure  parties.  The 
first  barracks  celebration  was  the  Thanksgiving  dinner  of 
November  29,  1917.  Preparation  began  weeks  in  advance.  The 
mess  sergeant  and  the  cooks  planned  the  menu,  ordered  the  extra 
supplies,  and  baked  the  fruit  cakes.  Lieut.  Bruce  ordered  menus 
printed  in  Seattle,  and  they  were  delivered  two  days  before 
Thanksgiving.  The  day  before  they  arrived  a  War  Department 
order  announced  that  no  bill  of  fare  or  printed  list  of  the  sol- 
diers' Thanksgiving  fare  would  be  allowed.  All  menus  that 
were  printed  were  ordered  destroyed,  and  those  of  "E"  Company 
were  dutifully  offered  to  the  flames.  Why  this  order  was  issued 
no  one  knows.  Whether  the  War  Department  was  afraid  the 
Boche  would  learn  what  our  men  were  eating,  or  whether  it  felt 
that  the  public  should  not  have  information  on  our  soldiers' 
fare,  we  will  probably  never  know.  However,  now  the  war  is 
over,  we  publish  the  censored  menu. 

MENU 

SOUP 
Oyster  Soup  and  Crackers 

RELISHES 
Gherkins  Green   Olives  Celery 

MEATS 

Roast   Turkey   with   Oyster   Dressing,    Giblet   Gravy 
Roast  Pork  Cranberry  Sauce 

VEGETABLES 

Mashed  Potatoes  Candied  Sweet  Potatoes 

French  Peas  Sweet  Corn 

SALAD 
Hearts  of  Lettuce,  Mayonnaise 

DESSERTS 

Chocolate   Cake  Jelly  Tarts  Cocoanut   Cake 

Lemon  Pie  Fruit  Cake  Mince  Pie 

Oranges  Apples  Bananas 

Mixed  .Candies     Assorted  Xtits 

BEVERAGES 

Coffee  Lemonade 

Cigars  and  Cigarettes. 


22  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


At  this  dinner  all  officers  and  men  of  the  company  gathered. 
"Sammy"  Goldfeder  and  his  committee  had  elaborately  decor- 
ated the  mess  hall ;  "Curley"  Heard  provided  the  musical  pro- 
gram, and  the  cooks  and  K.  P.  performed  their  duties  well.  It 
was  a  glorious  feed  and  a  joyous  time.  A  box  containing  thirty 
packages  was  opened  and  raffled.  This  box  was  the  gift  of  the 
young  women  of  Prussia's — a  San  Francisco  Department  store. 
The  lucky  thirty  discovered  that  they  had  received  useful 
presents,  and  out  of  it  began  correspondence  with  as  many  young 
women  down  in  San  Francisco. 

Christmas  dinner  was  even  more  elaborate  and  joyous.  The 
menu  was  much  the  same  as  that  on  Thanksgiving  Day.  At  this 
dinner,  mothers,  wives  and  relatives  of  the  men  and  officers 
attended.  For  weeks  before  the  day  the  officers  and  a  commit- 
tee of  sergeants  had  been  busy  collecting  gifts.  When  the 
Christmas  packages  for  the  men  began  to  arrive  they  were  held 
out  of  the  mail  and  sorted,  and  held  until  Christmas  day.  To 
the  presents  from  home  were  added  the  gifts  collected,  so  that 
each  man  would  receive  an  equal  amount.  Mrs.  Graupner  had 
collected  a  large  number  of  sleeveless  sweaters  and  they  were 
distributed  to  the  men  who  had  none.  When  mess  call  sounded 
the  hall  was  a  bower  of  green ;  again  "Sammy"  Goldfeder  and 
his  committee  had  done  good  work.  The  last  long  table  in  the 
hall  was  piled  high  with  gifts.  The  men  filed  in  with  their 
guests  and  Bishop  Paddock  of  Eastern  Oregon  said  grace  for 
that  day's  meal,  so  far  from  home.  During  the  feasting  there 
wras  music  and  songs,  and  Goldfeder  read  the  new  general 
guard  orders,  which  raised  a  big  laugh  from  all  who  had  walked 
post,  and  deserve  reprinting.  "Sammy"  could  not  forget  the 
mud  and  the  rain  puddles,  and  read  his  orders  thus : 

MY  GENERAL  ORDERS  ARE: 

1.  To  take  charge  of  this  pond  and  all  government  water  in 
.  ;     sight. 

2.  To  swim  my  pond  in  a  military  manner,  always  keeping  my 

head  above  water,  observing  everything  that  takes  place 
above  water. 

3.  To  report  all  violations  of  swimming  orders  I  am  instructed 

to  enforce. 

4.  To  repeat  all   calls  from   posts  more   distant  from  the   ice 

house  than  my  own. 

5.  To  remove  my  bathing  suit  only  when  properly  relieved. 

6.  To  receive,  obey  and  pass  on  to  the  swimmer  who  relieves 

me  all  orders  from  the  High  Diver,  Swimmer  of  the  Day, 
swimmers  and  non-swimmers  of  the  pond  only. 

7.  To  talk  to  no  one  while  under  water. 

8.  In  case  of  a  cloudburst  or  deluge  to  send  out  an  S.  O.  S. 

9.  To  allow  no  one  to  remove  their  bathing  suits  on  or  near 

my  post. 

10.     In  any  case  not  covered  by  the   swimming  code  to  tread 
water  and  call  the  keeper  of  the  pond. 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  23 

11.  To  salute  all  whales  and  sea  lions  and  sharks  not  in  cap- 

tivity. 

12.  To  be  on  the  job  at  night  during  the  time  for  diving  and  to 

challenge  all  pilots  on  or  near  light  houses  and  to  allow 
no  one  to  swim  past  my  post  without  tfye  proper  fishing 
license. 

After  the  dinner  came  another  raffle.  This  time  the  girls 
from  Prussia's  had  sent  a  full  quota  of  packages — one  for  every 
man.  All  that  the  raffle  accomplished  was  to  arrange,  by  chance, 
the  girl  with  whom  each  man  should  correspond.  When  the 
raffle  was  completed  the  men  received  their  packages  from  home. 
Then  they  scattered  to  their  bunks  and  sought  out  quiet  corners 
to  be  alone  when  they  opened  the  packages  containing  the  things 
that  mother  and  "she"  had  sent. 

Xew  Year's  was  the  big  day.  Then  we  had  the  girls  to 
dinner,  dance  and  supper.  Dinner  was  set  for  the  hour  of 
two  o'clock  p.  m.  Just  before  that  hour  the  girls  and  chaperones 
arrived  in  autos  and  busses.  At  two  o'clock  all  marched  into  the 
mess  hall  and  then  came  the  clatter  of  knives,  forks  and  tongues. 
\Yhen  the  dinner  was  over  all  adjourned  to  the  lower  squad- 
room,  which  had  been  cleared  and  decorated  for  the  dance.  An 
orchestra  from  the  44th  Infantry  furnished  the  jazz  music  and 
all  except  the  "girl  shy"  joined  in  the  dance.  Throughout  the 
afternoon  cakes  and  cider  were  on  the  tailor's  counter  for  every- 
one, and  at  six  o'clock  a  buffet  supper  was  served.  At  ten 
o'clock  busses  and  autos  took  a  tired  group  of  girls  home.  But 
"E"  Company  had  given  them  a  good  time. 

The  next  big  event  came  in  March,  when  a  boat  was  char- 
tered and  an  excursion  on  Puget  Sound  was  made  to  break  the 
tedium  of  quarantine.  Lieut.  Bruce  chartered  the  steamer 
Nisqually  at  Seattle  and  arranged  for  the  company  to  land  at 
Fletcher's  Bay.  The  regimental  band  was  asked  to  join  us  as 
guests  and  the  young  ladies  were  invited  from  Seattle  and 
Tacoma.  Arrangements  were  made  to  permit  the  Nisqually  to 
dock  at  the  Dupont  wharf  and  for  the  company  and  its  guests 
to  pass  thru  the  guarded  grounds  of  the  Dupont  Powder  Com- 
pany. Food  was  taken  from  the  company  kitchen  and  ice  cream 
was  brought  from  Seattle  on  the  steamer.  It  was  a  hard  tug 
to  oret  the  boxes  of  roasted  meats,  sandwiches  and  eatables 
aboard,  because  the  wagons  could  not  get  down  to  the  wharf, 
and  a  carry  had  to  be  made  to  a  tram  car.  But  by  ten  o'clock 
everybody  and  everything  was  on  board  and  the  steamer  cast 
away  from  the  dock.  The  trip  was  made  up  the  Sound  past 
Bremerton  Xavy  Yard  to  Fletcher's  Bay.  There  everyone  landed 
and  were  welcomed  by  the  Fosters,  who  led  the  way  to  a  dance 
pavilion  embowered  among  the  trees.  Five  o'clock,  the  time 
to  embark,  came  all  too  soon.  Then  it  was  back  to  Dupont  by 
the  shortest  route,  for  everyone  was  tired  and  happy.  The  band 
did  great  work  in  playing  on  the  trip  and  for  the  dancing. 

So  great  was  the  success  of  the  first  excursion  that  everyone 
wanted  another.  So  the  early  part  of  April  was  selected  and  the 
Bremerton  was  chartered.  For  the  second  trip  Point  Defiance 


24  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


Park  was  chosen  as  the  starting  point,  that  being  more  con- 
venient for  the  young  women.  We  did  not  attempt  to  carry 
food  other  than  ice  cream,  cakes  and  candy.  A  hot  lunch  was 
provided  at  Foster's  which  saved  much  trouble  and  time.  This 
trip  was  another  success.  There  was  more  dancing  than  on  the 
previous  trip,  although  it  rained  hard  during  most  of  the  day. 
But  no  one  cared,  for  there  was  cover  on  the  boat  and  at  the 
dance  pavillion.  When  the  boat  returned  to  Point  Defiance 
there  was  a  fixed  determination  in  the  minds  of  all  to  have 
another  party  just  like  the  one  that  had  ended.  But  new  things 
were  ahead.  The  third  excursion  was  without  the  young  women 
of  Seattle  and  Tacoma,  and  covered  more  territory  and  time. 

The  movies  at  the  Liberty  Theatre  and  Greene  Park 
afforded  midweek  diversion  to  many  and  helped  tide  over  the 
interval  between  Sunday  and  Saturday  noon.  Nor  must  we 
forget  the  band  concerts  which  Col.  Weeks  inaugurated  imme- 
diately after  he  took  command  of  the  regiment.  These  broke 
the  monotony  of  many  an  afternoon  during  the  quarantine 
period. 


V.     PREPARING  TO  LEAVE  CAMP  LEWIS. 

There's  a  long,  long  trail  a-winding 

Into  the  land  of  my  dreams, 
Where  the  nightingales  are  singing 

And  a  white  moon  beams; 
There's  a  long,  long  night  of  waiting 

Until  my  dreams  all  come  true; 
Till  the  day  when  I'll  be  going  down 

That  long,  long  trail  with  you. 

(There's  a  Long,  Long  Trail.) 

From  the  first  of  the  year  of  1918,  rumors  had  been  circu- 
lated from  time  to  time  which  stated  that  the  Division  had 
proven  itself  fit  and  had  been  selected  for  overseas  service. 
Always  such  rumors  contained  a  fixed  time  for  us  to  leave,  but 
the  time  would  roll  by  and  there  would  be  no  evidence  of  mov- 
ing The  rumors  came  so  frequently  that,  before  long,  no  one 
paid  much  attention  to  them.  During  the  early  part  of  May, 
however,  there  came  a  new  rumor.  It  seemed  to  be  backed  by 
authority,  for  General  Greene  announced  it  thru  the  Tacoma 
newspapers.  When  orders  came  that  indicated  preparation  for 
moving,  hope  and  belief  sprang  up  in  the  minds  of  everyone. 
At  last  we  were  to  go  "over  there"  and  get  a  chance  to  show 
the  Hun  what  western  men  could  do. 

The  first  thing  that  was  ordered  was  the  making  and  mark- 
ing of  packing  boxes.  Then  came  orders  to  overhaul  equipment 
and  clothing,  and  replace  all  worn-out  articles.  Then  followed 
one  after  the  other,  many  orders  that  looked  like  business.  And 
finally  came  the  two  decisive  indications.  An  advance  party 
was  selected  to  go  overseas  and  arrange  for  debarkation  and 
entraining,  and  Lieut.  Millan  was  selected  for  that  duty  from  the 
2nd  Battalion.  Major  Gregory  went  with  the  party  to  attend 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH   INF.  25 

a  Field  Officers'  School  at  Langres.  All  heavy  baggage  was 
boxed  and  sent  ahead  under  a  special  detail.  "E"  Company 
packed  barber  chairs  and  supplies,  a  sewing  machine  and  tailor's 
sundries,  baseball  uniforms  and  equipment,  books  and  other 
articles  of  comfort  and  convenience,  and  snipped  them  off  as 
freight.  It  was  expected  to  have  great  comfort  from  those  things 
in  France,  but  alas,  those  expectations  proved  vain.  The  S.  O.  S. 
salvaged  the  full  outfit.  The  Q.  M.  C.  or  the  stevedores  may 
have  had  a  great  time  with  those  carefully  selected  comforts, 
but  "E"  Company  had  none  of  them. 

On  June  15th,  1918,  came  definite  orders  for  the  entraining 
of  the  regiment,  and  we  learned  that  we  were  to  leave  on  the 
26th.  Final  settlement  was  made  with  the  Supply  Company  for 
our  property  and  all  surplus  and  unnecessary  articles  were 
turned  in.  The  men  packed  their  surplus  belongings  and  sent 
them  home.  Quarters  and  grounds  were  policed,  baggage  and 
records  packed,  rations  and  extras  for  the  trip  purchased,  and 
company  accounts  settled.  By  the  morning  of  the  26th  the 
company  was  ready  and  ''raring"  to  go. 

One  of  the  final  steps  in  preparation  for  leaving  was  to 
transfer  to  the  Depot  Brigade  all  men  sick  in  hospital  or  those 
unfit  for  overseas  service.  In  their  places  new  men  were  re- 
ceived, but  the  company  was  not  filled  at  the  time  it  left  Camp 
Lewis.  It  was  hard  to  leave  behind  men  like  Mechanic  Brown, 
but  to  have  taken  them  would  have  meant  suffering  for  them. 
The  last  of  the  men  transferred  to  the  Depot  Brigade  did  not 
leave  the  company  until  the  morning  of  the  day  of  departure. 

The  advance  party,  with  which  went  Major  Gregory  and 
Lieut.  Millan,  left  Camp  Lewis  on  June  19th.  On  the  morning 
of  June  21st  Major-General  H.  A.  Greene  was  relieved  of  com- 
mand of  the  Division  and  ordered  to  the  Philippine  Islands. 
This  left  Brig.-General  Frederick  S.  Foltz  in  command.  On  the 
afternoon  of  the  21st  General  Foltz,  with  the  staff  and  head- 
quarters of  the  Division  entrained,  and  left  New  York  for  over- 
seas on  the  27th. 

On  June  25th  the  company  baggage  was  loaded  on  the  train, 
and  on  the  following  morning  the  rations  were  loaded  into  the 
kitchen  car  and  the  stoves  were  set  up.  The  morning  of  the 
26th  was  spent  in  final  policing  of  barracks  and  burning  the 
straw  from  the  bed  sacks.  At  3  p.  m.  the  order  to  fall  in  was 
given  and  the  company  marched  down  the  firebreak  to  position 
for  entraining.  At  4  o'clock  the  train  backed  onto  the  track  and 
within  ten  minutes  the  company  was  on  board  and  ready  to 
leave.  Promptly  at  4:30  p.  m.  the  train  began  to  move  and  "E" 
Company  saw  its  last  of  Camp  Lewis.  On  this  train  were  "E" 
and  "F"  Companies.  Ahead  were  two  trains  bearing  the  1st 
Battalion,  while  behind  us  were  "G"  and  "H"  Companies.  The 
3rd  Battalion  followed  still  further  behind.  As  the  train  pulled 
out  there  was  a  cheer  from  the  men  left  behind  and  many  tears 
were  shed  by  the  few  brave  mothers,  wives  and  sweethearts 
that  had  made  the  long  journey  to  Camp  Lewis  to  say  good-bye. 


26  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


VI.     THE  TRIP  ACROSS  THE  CONTINENT. 

"But  every  town  is  your  home  town, 

"And  each  day's  your  day, 
"For  every  mother  loves  a  soldier  boy 

"For  the  sake  of  the  one  away; 
"And  everywhere   that  the  flag  flies 

"With  its  red,  white  and  blue, 
"There  are  hearts  like  those  in  the  old  town 

"To    zvelcome    you." 

(Every  Town's  Your  Home  Town.) 

The  train  was  composed  of  sixteen  cars.  First  came  two 
baggage  cars,  then  three  tourist  cars  for  "E"  Company,  then  the 
cook  car,  followed  by  three  cars  for  "E"  and  two  for  "F"  Com- 
pany, another  cook  car,  then  three  more  cars  for  "F"  Company, 
and,  finally,  the  officers'  car.  The  men  were  assigned  three  to 
a  section — two  in  the  lower  and  one  in  the  upper  berth.  The 
cook  cars  were  crowded  with  piles  of  wood,  rations  and  a  crude 
refrigerator.  The  field  ranges  were  set  up  in  sand  boxes  iia 
the  center,  and  the  culinary  arrangements  were  necessarily 
poor.  However,  the  cooks  managed  to  prepare  two  hot  meals 
a  day,  which  were  served  to  the  men  as  they  sat  in  their  seats. 
Mess  kits  were  washed  on  the  platforms. 

From  Camp  Lewis  the  train  traveled  south  to  Portland  and 
then  switched  on  the  Oregon  Short  Line.  At  Portland  the  Red 
Cross  loaded  the  kitchen  cars  with  boxes  of  fruit,  which  the 
men  enjoyed  the  next  day.  The  morning  of  June  27th  found  the 
company  in  Eastern  Oregon.  At  Weiser,  on  the  Idaho  boun- 
dary line,  the  women  of  the  Red  Cross  met  the  train  and  dis- 
tributed gum,  fruit,  chocolate,  cigarettes  and  post  cards.  The 
canteen  workers  of  the  Red  Cross  brightened  the  trip  with  their 
donations  and  their  cheerful  greetings.  The  second  day's  trip 
followed  the  Snake  River  Valley.  At  La  Grande  a  halt  was 
made  for  water  and  exercise.  At  noon  of  the  28th  the  train 
entered  Wyoming  and  at  Granger  switched  on  to  the  main  line 
of  the  Union  Pacific  Railway.  A  stop  was  made  at  Green  River 
to  allow  a  swim,  but  the  mud  on  the  river  bank  and  the  muddy 
water  did  not  make  the  opportunity  an  inviting  one.  Later  in 
the  day  the  men  were  allowed  time  to  stretch  themselves  at 
Rawlings. 

The  morning  of  the  29th  found  us  in  Nebraska.  There  the 
men  discovered  that  the  spirit  of  the  middle  west  differed  from 
that  of  the  Pacific  Coast,  and  if  they  wanted  cordiality  they  had 
to  seek  it.  As  a  result,  whenever  the  train  stopped  the  men 
stuck  their  heads  out  of  the  windows  and  invited  attention. 
"Come  on  girls,  here  we  are,"  was  the  cry,  and  few  could  with- 
stand the  smiling  bid  for  conversation.  At  North  Platte,  where 
a  stop  was  made,  the  town  was  taken  by  storm.  The  slow  mov- 
ing townspeople  did  not  know  what  to  make  of  the  assault, 
but,  by  the  time  every  girl,  buggy  and  auto  was  captured,  they 
decided  it  was  fairly  good  fun,  and  smiled.  At  Omaha  the  train 
was  delayed  by  a  break-down  on  the  section  of  the  train  carry- 
ing "C"  and  "D"  Companies  of  the  1st  Battalion.  No  one  was 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  27 

sorry  for  the  delay,  for  the  girls  of  the  Red  Cross  Canteen  had 
a  large  supply  of  goodies  and,  besides,  were  attractive  and 
cordial. 

Xight  took  us  across  Iowa  and  on  the  morning  of  the  30th 
the  train  was  speeding  thru  Illinois.  At  Chicago  the  trip  was 
broken  by  a  welcome  opportunity  to  swim.  The  two  companies 
marched  up  to  the  Y.M.C.A.,  where  everyone  was  given  a  chance 
at  the  showers  and  tank.  After  the  dusty  trip  a  bath  was  a 
decided  luxury.  From  the  "Y"  the  companies  marched  to  the 
Dearborn  Street  station  where,  after  being  served  by  the  Red 
Cross  canteen  workers,  they  entrained.  From  Chicago  the  train 
traveled  over  the  line  of  the  Wabash  Railway,  crossing  the  line 
into  Canada  at  Detroit.  On  the  morning  of  July  1st  the  train 
was  passing  thru  Ontario.  There  the  people  showed  by  their 
seriousness  the  mournful  results  of  the  war.  The  train  stopped 
at  St.  Thomas  and  afforded  the  men  a  chance  for  exercise.  At 
Niagara  Falls  the  train  re-entered  the  United  States.  There 
the  men  detrained  and  were  given  a  chance  to  see  the  falls. 
After  entraining,  the  route  of  travel  lay  along  the  lines  of  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Railroad,  thru  New  York  and  Pennsylvania. 
Early  on  July  2nd  the  train  emerged  from  the  Lehigh  Valley  and 
by  noon  had  arrived  at  Jersey  City.  There  the  train  waited  for 
over  an  hour  for  an  opportunity  to  switch  on  to  the  lines  of  the 
New  York  Central  Railway  for  the  last  lap.  While  waiting  at 
Jersey  City  the  men  had  an  opportunity  to  see  New  York 
harbor,  the  Statue  of  Liberty  and  the  famous  sky-line  of  New 
York  City. 

At  half  past  two  in  the  afternoon  the  train  arrived  at 
Dumont  and  the  long  journey  was  ended.  It  was  six  days  from 
Dupont  to  Dumont;  six  days  of  tiresome,  but  interesting  and 
jolly  traveling.  Promptly  the  men  were  detrained  and  formed 
in  ranks.  A  short  march  through  Dumont  took  us  into  Camp 
Merritt  and  barracks.  The  first  lap  of  the  journey  to  France 
was  ended. 


28  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


VII.     AT  CAMP  MERRITT. 

"Good-bye  and  luck  be  with  you  laddie  boy,  laddie  boy, 

"Whatever  your  age  may  be; 
"There's  a  look  in  your  eye,  as  you  say  your  good-bye, 

"That  tells  me  you  will  do  and  dare,  or  die; 
"And  when  you  hear  the  shells  begin  to  sing 

"There'll  be  someone,  somewhere, 
"Who  cares,  will  murmur  this  prayer — 

"May  you  win  your  share  of  glory 
"And  come  back  to  tell  your  story. 

"Good-bye  and  good  luck,  laddie  boy." 

(Laddie  Boy.) 

At  Camp  Merritt  "E"  Company  had  its  first  introduction  to 
a  "rest"  camp.  There  they  got  so  much  rest  that  they  had  little 
chance  to  sleep.  The  barracks  were  smaller  than  those  at  Camp 
Lewis  and  the  mess  halls  were  detached  buildings.  The  camp 
was  not  unattractive,  but  it  lacked  the  charm  and  spaciousness 
of  our  old  camp.  Life  at  Merritt  was  a  succession  of  issues  and 
re-issues,  trying  on  and  taking  off,  inspecting  and  reinspecting  of 
clothing  and  equipment. 

Tin  hats  were  issued,  canvas  leggings  gave  way  to  wrapped 
leggings,  and  barrack  shoes  were  supplanted  by  heavy  trench 
shoes.  Inspections  of  equipment  were  frequent  and  any  articles 
of  clothing  or  equipment  that  showed  wear  or  breakage  was  con- 
demned without  ceremony.  It  seemed  wasteful  to  give  appar- 
ently sound  breeches,  blouses  or  shirts  a  strong  jerk  and  rip  or 
tear  them.  But  the  wear  and  tear  of  foreign  service  was  so 
great  that  faulty  articles  could  not  be  worn.  It  was  deemed 
necessary  to  have  every  man  equipped  in  clothing  that  was  free 
from  holes  and  rip-proof,  so  inspection  followed  inspection.  Most 
of  the  men  learned  the  items  of  .equipment  so  thoroughly  that 
they  could  sing  the  list.  Men  swore,  and  so  did  the  officers, 
over  the  tedious  task  of  fitting  shoes,  but  it  was  necessary  work. 
The  test  of  "hefting"  the  buckets  of  sand  was  a  hard  one  for 
those  whose  vanity  led  them  to  try  and  wear  tight  shoes.  The 
dandies  hated  to  give  up  their  tan  barrack  shoes  for  the  clumsy 
trench  shoes,  and  many  attempted  to  hold  them  out,  so  that  they 
might  dress  up  for  the  French  girls. 

Officers  and  men  alike  were  given  physical  examination  to 
determine  whether  or  not  they  were  fit  for  service  overseas. 
Only  one  of  the  men  failed  to  pass  the  test,  but  the  quarantine 
made  serious  inroads  in  the  ranks  of  the  company.  Mumps,  the 
cause  of  much  quarantine  at  Camp  Lewis,  resulted  in  fourteen 
men  being  sent  to  the  quarantine  camp  and  transferred  to 
Overseas  Casuals.  This  left  the  company  short  of  its  strength. 
Sixteen  men  had  been  transferred  immediately  before  leaving 
Camp  Lewis  and,  with  the  fourteen  quarantined,  the  company 
was  left  with  only  two  hundred  and  twenty  men.  Replacements 
were  sent  from  the  Casual  Companies.  Evidently  the  company 
commanders  were  trying  the  old  Depot  Brigade  trick  of  sending 
unfit  men,  for  the  regimental  surgeons  were  compelled  to  reject 


_  OF    E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  _  29 

about  thirty  per  cent  of  the  replacements.     However,  the  com- 
pany was  finally  filled  to  full  strength. 

At  Camp  Merritt  the  men  had  their  first  encounter  with  the 
French  franc.  Those  who  had  any  money  left  converted  their 
American  coin  into  French  money  by  purchasing  exchange  at 
the  rate  of  five  francs  and  seventy-six  centimes  for  a  dollar. 
This  looked  like  making  money,  but  disallusionment  came  in 
France,  when  it  was  discovered  how  low  was  the  purchasing 
power  of  a  franc. 

Pass  privileges  were  granted  to  some  of  the  men,  and  all 
availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  to  see  the  "big  town." 
One  cannot  see  much  of  New  York  in  twenty-four  hours,  but 
reports  from  those  who  made  the  trip  tended  to  show  that  there 
was  some  fast  traveling  in  an  endeavor  to  see  the  sights. 
Rumor  has  it  that  Sergeant  Bolton  lost  his  way.  Whether 
Sergeants  Weston,  Young  and  Killeen  lost  Bolton,  or  Bolton  lost 
them,  or  Bolton  lost  himself  will  probably  never  be  known,  for 
he  never  gave  a  coherent  account  of  his  actions.  Pass  privi- 
leges were  withdrawn  on  July  8th,  before  all  of  the  men  had  had 
the  opportunity  to  leave  camp. 

On  the  morning  of  July  10th  came  the  final  inspection  of 
equipment.  Then  all  of  the  baggage  was  loaded  into  freight 
cars  and,  guarded  by  the  baggage  detail,  sent  to  Hoboken  to  be 
loaded  onto  barges  and  taken  over  to  New  York.  Reveille 
sounded  at  4:15  the  next  morning.  The  men  ate  a  hasty  break- 
fast and,  at  5  :30  the  regiment  marched  out  of  camp.  Thru  the 
sleeping  town  of  Merritt,  the  way  led  down  to  Alpine  Landing 
on  the  Hudson  River.  By  a  zig-zag  road  down  the  steep  face 
of  the  Palisades,  past  the  ancient  headquarters  of  General 
Cornwallis,  the  troops  reached  the  water's  level.  There  the  com- 
pany marched  on  board  the  ferryboat  Scandanavia  and  were 
ferried  down  the  river  to  New  York  City  dock  number  59,  where 
the  gigantic  Olympic  was  waiting  to  receive  them.  Colonel 
Weeks  had  arranged  the  best  transport  available  for  his  own 
regiment. 


VIII.     THE  JOURNEY  OVERSEAS. 

"Where  do  we  go  from  here,  boys,  where  do  -we  go  from  here? 

"Anywhere  from  Harlem  to  a  Jersey  City  pier. 

"When  Pat  would  spy  a  pretty  girl, 

"He'd  whisper  in   her  ear, 

"Oh  joy,  Oh  Boy,  where  do  we  go  from  here?" 

(Where  Do   We  Go  From  Here?) 

When  the  troops  marched  from  the  ferry  boat  onto  the 
dock  they  were  met  by  the  Red  Cross  workers,  who  provided 
hot  coffee  and  rolls.  Food  was  welcome  after  the  early  break- 
fast and  long  march.  The  men  were  then  arranged  in  the  order 
in  which  their  names  appeared  on  the  passenger  list.  When 
the  order  was  given  the  men  marched  in  single  file  past  the 


30  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


officers  representing  the  embarkation  authorities  and  the  ship, 
each  man  giving  his  surname,  followed  by  the  Christian  name. 
The  officers  checked  each  man  off  as  he  marched  up  the  gang- 
plank. At  the  head  of  the  gangway  each  man  was  given  a  card 
which  showed  him  the  location  of  his  quarters,  hammock  and 
seat  at  the  table. 

With  the  assignment  to  quarters  troubles  began.  The  men 
found  that  there  were  more  of  them  in  the  assigned  quarters 
than  there  were  hammocks.  They  also  found  that  the  cockney 
crew  were  not  pleasant  to  deal  with.  Close  quarters  had  been 
their  lot  since  being  mustered  into  the  service,  but  here  they 
found  a  still  tighter  squeeze.  However,  they  were  soldiers  and 
knew  how  to  make  the  best  of  bad  conditions.  Moreover,  they 
were  on  their  way.  The  ship  lay  at  the  dock  all  night,  loading 
men,  freight  and  baggage.  At  9 :30  a.  m.  on  July  12th,  the  ship's 
siren  blew  a  long  blast,  shore  lines  were  cast  off,  and  the  tugs 
commenced  to  push  the  huge  craft  out  into  the  river.  The  ship 
left  the  dock  without  ceremony — no  bands  played  and  there  was 
no  cheering  or  shouting  from  the  men. 

The  people  on  the  crowded  ferries  and  river  steamers 
cheered  and  waved  farewell,  but  the  men  crowding  the  ship's 
railings  felt  too  deeply  to  cheer.  The  Statue  of  Liberty  was  a 
wonderful  and  significant  sight  as  she  towered  above  Bedloe's 
Island.  Gigantic,  inspiring  and  awesome,  clad  in  her  robes  of 
greened  bronze,  Bartholdi's  collosus  forced  every  man's  atten- 
tion to  the  fact  that  he  was  going  over  to  fight  for  that  which 
she  symbolized.  The  Olympic  passed  Governor's  Island,  Ellis 
Island,  Bedloe's  Island  and  Staten  Island,  ships  of  war  and  ships 
of  transport  in  their  weirdly  camouflaged  coats  of  paint.  The 
skyline  of  New  York  City  faded  away  from  view  and  Sandy 
Hook  was  left  behind. 

Outside  the  harbor  entrance  the  ship  was  joined  by  two 
hydroplanes  and  a  dirigible  that  swept  thru  the  air,  scanning 
the  sea  beneath  for  signs  of  submarines.  There  were  also  two 
destroyers,  which  acted  as  convoy  until  after  dark,  when  their 
blinkers  signalled  "good-bye  and  good  luck."  After  they  left 
the  ship  went  on  her  way  alone — without  consort  or  convoy. 
So  the  ship  went  on  her  way  across,  depending  on  her  size,  speed 
and  armament  for  protection  against  submarines  until  July  18th, 
the  seventh  day  of  the  voyage,  when  she  was  met  by  a  fleet  of 
five  American  destroyers,  who  brought  orders  and  were  to  be 
our  guard  up  the  English  channel. 

Life  on  board  the  ship  was  crowded  and  uncomfortable. 
Sleeping  in  hammocks  was  a  difficult  feat  and  not  comfortable. 
The  hard  task  was  to  climb  up  and  in.  Men  scrambled  and 
strained  to  get  into  them,  frequently  falling  out  on  the  other 
side.  After  they  were  successfully  ensconsed  their  bodies  were 
bowed,  and  the  men  were  so  closely  packed  that  they  scraped 
against  each  other  as  the  ship  rolled.  Fortunately  for  all  the 
ship  was  large  and  the  sea  was  smooth  most  of  the  way.  The 
transport  was  crowded  to  capacity.  During  the  first  four  days 
those  men  who  were  quartered  below  decks  suffered  intensely 


OF   E   CO.,    364TH    INF.  31 

from  the  sultry  heat  of  the  -hold.  When  darkness  fell  every  port- 
hole and  door  was  closed;  no  one  but  the  guards  and  lookouts 
were  allowed  on  deck.  There  was  no  ventilation  except  the  lit- 
tle air  that  made  its  way  thru  the  ventilators  to  the  decks 
below.  Sleep  was  uncomfortable,  restless  and  not  refreshing, 
and  every  one  heaved  a  sigh  of  relief  and  breathed  with  vigor 
when  dawn  came  and  access  to  the  decks  and  open  air  was 
allowed.  The  food  caused  much  dissatisfaction.  Tripe  may  be 
a  luxury  to  the  Englishman,  but  the  average  American  will  have 
none  of  it.  Tea,  bread,  cheese  and  marmalade  may  be  a  hearty 
supper  for  a  Briton,  but  a  westerner  wants  something  more  sub- 
stantial. While  the  men  kicked,  the  officers  were  helpless,  for 
each  day's  menu  for  the  men  had  been  approved  by  authorities 
ashore  and  had  been  authorized  for  the  voyage. 

During  the  day  the  men  were  allowed  to  wander  at  will 
about  the  ship  and  on  all  the  decks  excepting  the  boat  deck. 
Details  were  made  for  guards,  lookouts,  mess  attendants  and 
policing  of  quarters,  but  none  of  the  work  was  hard.  Each 
morning  there  was  exercise  on  deck  for  half  an  hour,  and,  some- 
times during  each  day  there  was  boat  drill.  The  constant  wear- 
ing of  life  preservers  made  everyone  feel  uncomfortable  and  look 
ridiculous.  The  canteens  took  a  great  deal  of  the  circulating 
money  but  provided  the  men  with  things  to  eat  and  smoke. 
There  was  constant  dissension  between  the  troops  and  the  crew, 
until  the  cockneys  learned  that  an  insulting  remark  was  promptly 
answered  by  a  blow.  After  about  one-third  of  the  ship's  crew 
had  been  knocked  out  they  decided  that  the  Americans  were 
dangerous  to  monkey  with.  There  was  constant  pilfering.  The 
ship's  crew  were  anxious  for  American  shoes  and  underwear, 
and  stole  anything  left  unguarded. 

When  the  Olympic  reached  the  open  sea  her  course  followed 
the  Gulf  Stream  southward  and  then  swung  eastward  until 
she  was  midway  between  the  Bermudas  and  the  Azores  Islands. 
Then  it  was  changed  to  northeast  until  we  reached  a  point 
almost  due  east  of  the  English  Channel,  where  the  convoy  was 
to  meet  the  ship.  Always  the  transport  swung  and  twisted  on  a 
zig-zag  path.  She  was  taking  no  chances  and  was  making  her- 
self as  poor  a  target  as  possible  for  a  torpedo  from  a  submarine. 
The  guns  mounted  on  the  bow  and  stern  were  always  ready  for 
action,  with  ammunition  in  cases  by  the  side  of  each  gun ;  and 
the  gun  crews  were  drilling  at  pointing  twice  each  day. 
Throughout  the  voyage  the  speed  averaged  22  knots  an  hour.  In 
the  chart  room  were  maps  showing  the  location  of  submarines 
reported  by  wireless.  On  the  afternoon  of  July  17th  the  chart 
showed  the  reported  locations  of  eleven  subs.  And  on  that 
same  afternoon  the  Carpathia  was  torpedoed  twenty-five  miles 
to  the  east,  and  another  ship  met  the  same  fate  about  thirty 
miles  to  the  west  of  the  Olympic.  However,  due  to  good  sea- 
manship and  careful  maneuvering,  none  reached  the  vessel,  and 
at  five  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  July  18th  she  picked  up  her 
convoy  of  five  American  destroyers  at  the  appointed 
rendezvous. 


32  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


From  that  time  until  the  vessel  passed  thru  the  channel  in 
the  torpedo  nets  off  Portsmouth,  the  destroyers  guarded  the  way. 
It  was  a  glorious  sight  to  see  the  camouflaged  greyhounds  of 
the  sea  darting  here  and  there  along  the  ship's  course.  They 
zig-zagged  to  and  fro  in  front  of  the  Olympic  and  on  either  side 
of  her.  Close  in  at  one  time,  far  out  at  another;  but  ahvays 
watching  for  sign  of  a  periscope,  always  ready  to  drop  a  depth 
bomb.  On  the  18th  barrack  bags  and  baggage  were  broken 
out  of  the  hold  and  stacked  on  deck,  and  the  men  were  given  a 
final  physical  inspection.  Fortunately  no  sickness  had  broken 
out  on  board  and  there  was  nothing  to  debar  the  men  from 
landing. 

While  at  sea  there  was  much  in  the  \vay  of  jollity  and  en- 
tertainment. Could  Kaiser  Bill  have  flown  over  the  shin  and 
witnessed  a  vaudeville  performance  on  the  forward  well-deck 
and  a  dance  on  the  boat  deck  he  would  have  gnashed  his  teeth 
with  rage  to  think  that  the  Americans  were  so  little  awed  by 
his  submarines.  Men  slept,  and  read,  and  played  cards  on  deck 
most  of  the  days  of  the  voyage.  Every  day  there  was  something 
in  the  way  of  entertainment,  and  time  did  not  hang  heavily  on 
the  men's  hands. 

Dawn  of  July  19th  brought  the  first  sight  of  England's 
shores.  The  steep  cliffs  and  hills  of  the  Isle  of  Wight  was  the 
first  land  sighted.  Thru  the  mist  could  be  seen  the  tree-clad 
slopes,  interspersed  with  green  fields  and  towns  with  brick  and 
stone  buildings.  Here  and  there  a  church  spire  or  the  towers 
of  an  old  castle  could  be  seen.  On  all  sides  of  the  ship  were 
patrol  boats  and  mine  sweepers,  and  twice  the  masts  of  sunken 
ships  showed  that  the  subs  had  done  their  work  in  those  waters. 
Then  land  appeared  on  either  side  and  soon  the  torpedo  nets  that 
protected  Portsmouth  and  Southampton  were  seen.  Thru  the 
gap  in  the  nets  went  the  Olympic,  and  her  convoy  left  her. 
Anchor  was  dropped  in  the  channel — the  ship  could  not  go  on 
to  Southampton  until  the  tide  turned  and  a  dock  was  cleared 
for  her.  On  one  side  was  Portsmouth,  on  the  other  side  was 
Cowes  and  Osborne,  with  the  towers  of  Queen  Victoria's  favor- 
ite castle  in  clear  view. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  anchor  was  weighed  and  the  Olympic 
steamed  up  to  Southampton  and  docked.  As  our  shore  lines 
were  being  made  fast,  two  ships,  loaded  to  the  guards  with  men 
of  the  363rd  Infantry,  left  the  opposite  pier.  Then  we  knew 
that  we  were  not  to  train  in  England,  but  that  we  were  to  go 
to  France  at  once.  The  second  lap  of  the  journey  was  done  and 
our  third  lap  was  in  sight.  That  night  the  troops  remained  on 
board  ship,  but,  all  night  long  details  toiled  in  unloading  bag- 
gage and  equipment.  That  night  there  were  open  ports  and 
doors,  and  the  men  could  smoke  on  the  decks  for  the  first  time 
since  leaving  Xew  York.  Before  breakfast  Lieut.  Millan  came 
on  board.  He  had  been  placed  on  debarkation  duty  at  South- 
ampton and  was  sorely  depressed  because  he  could  see  no  chance 
of  relief.  He  was  anxious  to  go  with  the  company,  but  it  was 
many  a  long  day  before  he  joined.  After  breakfast  the  troops 
debarked,  but  were  held  on  the  docks. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  33 


IX.     FROM   SOUTHAMPTON   TO   LE   HAVRE. 

"Over  there,  over  there, 

"Send  the  word,  send  the  zvord  over  there, 
"That  the  Yanks  are  coming,  the  Yanks  are  coming, 

"The  drums  rum-tumming  everywhere, 
"So  prepare,  say  a  prayer, 

"Send  the  word,  send  the  word  to  beware, 
"We'll  be  over,  we're  coming  over, 

"And  we  won't  come  back  'till  it's  over,  over  there!" 

(Over  There.) 

Off  the  Olympic's  gangway  and  onto  the  docks  did  not 
spell  liberty  for  the  men.  They  were  marched  to  another  dock, 
where  a  speech  of  welcome  wras  made  by  a  British  officer,  and 
King  George's  letter  of  greeting  was  delivered.  Then  they  were 
ordered  to  stack  arms,  unsling  quipment  and  fall  out.  The  rest 
of  the  day  the  men  were  confined  to  the  limits  of  the  dock.  It 
was  hard  to  be  on  English  soil  and  see  nothing  of  the  sights  of 
the  adjacent  town.  But  there  had  been  trouble  between 
"Tommies"  and  "Yanks"  only  a  few  days  before,  and  the  authori- 
ties were  taking  no  chances.  There,  however,  the  men  had  their 
first  sight  of  wounded  being  brought  home  to  the  hospitals. 
From  a  hospital  ship  that  had  docked,  litter  bearers  were  carry- 
ing a  steady  procession  of  wounded  Tommies.  Some  of  them 
were  badly  hit,  but  they  were  in  "Blighty"  and  that  was  what 
they  wanted  more  than  anything  else  in  the  world.  The  officers 
were  more  fortunate  in  getting  liberty.  Most  of  them  were 
allowed  to  visit  Southampton  and  wander  thru  the  streets  of  that 
quaint  old  city.  It  wras  wholly  unlike  any  of  our  American 
cities  and,  with  its  trim  cottages  and  houses,  with  well  kept 
gardens,  was  quaintly  attractive.  Private  Joyner  was  fortunate 
in  having  an  uncle  living  there  and  obtained  permission  to  visit 
him. 

At  5  :30  p.  m.  on  Saturday,  July  20th,  came  the  order  to  fall 
in.  Immediately  following  came  "squads  right,"  and  the  2nd 
Battalion  companies  marched  onto  another  dock  wrhere  lay  the 
S.  Xapolin.  The  Xapolin  had  just  been  brought  overseas. 
She  had  been  employed  on  passenger  service  in  Long  Island 
Sound.  Braced  and  strengthened  for  the  trip  overseas,  she  Avas 
prepared  for  channel  service.  It  seemed  a  welcome  relief  to 
board  a  ship  manned  by  American  officers  and  "gobs."  It  was 
a  dangerous  run  thru  the  mine  strewn  and  submarine  haunted 
channel  to  France,  and  every  one  felt  safer  in  being  with  the 
men  of  our  own  navy.  At  seven  o'clock  the  steamer  swung  away 
from  the  docks  and  started  down  toward  the  open  sea.  Anchor 
was  cast  off  Portsmouth  and  the  Napolin  waited  for  the  signal 
to  start  on  her  run.  About  eleven  o'clock  anchor  was  hoisted,  a 
deck  guard  was  posted  and  all  doors  and  portholes  were  closed. 
Men  and  officers  turned  in  for  as  much  sleep  as  they  could  get. 
Thru  the  night  the  steamer  ran  at  full  speed.  Somewhere  in  the 
darkness  were  destroyers  on  convoy,  but  apparently  the  ship  was 
alone.  As  she  struck  the  choppy  seas  of  the  channel  the  light 


34  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


wooden  hull  strained  and  groaned,  but  at  five  o'clock  on  the 
morning  of  July  21st,  just  as  day  dawned,  the  Napolin  entered 
the  harbor  of  Le  Havre.  Just  ahead  of  her  was  the  ship  con- 
taining the  1st  and  2nd  Battalions. 

At  seven  o'clock,  after  a  travel  ration  breakfast  washed 
down  by  some  hot  coffee,  the  troops  debarked.  At  last  we  were 
in  France.  The  91st  had  ceased  to  be  a  replacement  division. 
From  the  docks  the  regiment  marched  thru  the  streets  of  Le 
Havre,  still  with  the  quiet  of  a  Sunday  morning,  and  along  the 
shores  of  the  city  to  the  section  where  the  Belgian  Government 
had  its  war  capitol.  From  there  the  way  wound  upward  to  the 
plateau  of  Ste  Adresse,  where  the  British  Army  Rest  Camp  No. 
2  offered  an  unattractive  camping  place.  There  were  dirty  tents, 
crudely  camouflaged,  battered  and  faded  by  wind  and  weather. 
The  whole  place  was  windy,  cold  and  unattractive,  and  there 
were  no  passes  to  visit  Le  Havre.  There  the  troops  were  issued 
the  British  ration,  with  the  chicory  coffee  and  smoked  pork. 
The  Rest  Camp  afforded  the  first  view  of  German  prisoners  of 
war.  Little  then  did  the  men  of  "E"  Company  think  that  the 
day  would  come  when  they  would  guard  a  prison  camp.  The 
camp  at  Le  Havre  contained  convalescing  sick  and  wounded 
prisoners.  Some  of  the  officers  obtained  permission  to  inspect 
the  camp  and  were  viewed  with  curiosity  by  the  prisoners,  who 
claimed  to  believe  that  the  American  officers  were  only  camou- 
flaged Englishmen. 

The  regiment  remained  at  camp  all  Sunday  and  until  four 
o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  July  22nd.  During  the  night  we 
heard  the  booming  of  far  distant  guns,  which  showed  us  that 
things  were  active  on  the  British  front.  Late  Monday  afternoon 
the  march  was  taken  up ;  Ste  Adresse  and  the  Rest  Camp  were 
left  behind.  Our  guide  led  the  troops  by  another  route  down 
the  hill  into  Le  Havre  and  thru  the  streets  to  the  railway  sta- 
tion. There  the  men  had  their  first  sight  of  the  French  engines 
and  cars,  which  made  them  appreciate  the  story  of  the  Ameri- 
can who  said  he  was  going  to  take  a  French  engine  home  as  a 
souvenir  and  wear  it  as  a  watch  charm. 

Entraining  was  a  simple  matter.  The  companies  were 
divided  into  sections  of  thirty-two  men  each,  and  each  section 
was  marched  to  a  car  and  told  to  climb  in.  Three  days'  travel 
rations  were  stacked  in  each  car  and,  after  packs  and  equipment 
were  hung,  thirty  men  had  little  room.  Those  funny  little  "side 
door  Pullmans"  seemed  strange  to  the  American  who  was 
accustomed  to  large  freight  cars.  The  sign  "8  Chevaux, 
40  Homrne''  applied,  perhaps,  to  French  horses  and  men,  but  it 
was  hard  work  for  thirty-two  husky  westerners  to  crowd  into  a 
car.  Sergeant  Works  had  a  hard  time  in  deciding  whether  or 
not  he  could  sleep  in  such  a  car.  He  was  too  long  to  stretch  out 
cross-wise  in  the  car,  and  if  he  lay  length-wise  or  on  the  oblique 
he  would  force  four  or  five  other  men  out  of  their  limited  floor 
space.  It  is  said  that  he  finally  settled  the  question  by  lying 
cross-wise,  with  his  feet  out  of  one  door  and  his  head  out  of  the 
other. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  35 


X.     FROM  LE  HAVRE  TO  RIMAUCOURT. 

"And  we  rambled,  we  rambled, 

"We  rambled  all  around,  ive  rambled  thru  the  towns, 
"We  rambled,  and  we  rambled, 
"We  rambled  'till  the  Frenchmen  put  us  down." 

About  six  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  July  22nd,  a  fussy  little 
Frenchman  in  uniform  blew  something  that  sounded  like  a 
worn-out  fish  horn,  and  the  train  started.  The  364th  was  on 
its  way  into  France,  but  to  where  it  knew  not.  The  journey 
was  by  a  devious  route,  the  train  had  to  cross  the  British  and 
French  lines  of  supply  and  reinforcement,  and  it  was  necessary 
to  make  a  long  swing  with  many  stops  to  prevent  interference. 
The  train  traveled  northwest  to  Motteville;  then  southeast  thru 
Rouen,  Mantes,  Versailles,  Melun,  Fountainebleau,  Sens,  Joigny 
and  Tonnerre  to  Xuits  sous  Ravieres;  then  it  swung  northeast 
again,  thru  Chatillion  sur  Seine  to  Chaumont.  From  Chaumont 
the  train  went  thru  Andelot  to  Rimaucourt.  At  Andelot  the 
regimental  headquarters  and  that  portion  of  the  regiment  on  the 
preceding  section  of  the  train  had  detrained.  But,  at  Rimaucourt 
we  were  told  that  we  did  not  belong  there,  that  we  could  not 
detrain,  that  we  must  go  back  and  around  to  Meuse.  Back 
thru  Andelot  went  the  battalion,  and  at  Chaumont  we  were 
ordered  back  again  to  Rimaucourt.  Our  first  arrival  had  been 
at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  but  we  did  not  get  back  until 
twelve  hours  later.  The  result  of  the  confusion  was  a  march 
by  night  instead  of  by  day. 

This  train  trip  across  France  was  thru  a  portion  untouched 
by  war.  It  was  a  strange  sight  to  see  the  villages  and  towns 
at  such  frequent  intervals.  The  buildings  of  stone  and  brick, 
with  their  red  tile  or  moss-covered  stone  roofs,  were  different 
from  what  we  were  accustomed  to  in  America.  The  small  farms, 
forming  a  checkerboard  on  the  landscape,  were  ridiculously  tiny 
to  the  western  man.  Everywhere  the  people  smiled  a  sad  smile 
of  welcome,  in  reply  to  the  cheery  calls  of  the  men;  and  none 
who  saw  it  will  forget  the  sight  of  that  wan-looking  French 
woman  standing  in  the  window  of  her  home  holding  a  printed 
sign — "France  thanks  you  for  coming." 

French  soldiers,  "Frogs,"  as  we  afterwards  learned  to  call 
them,  were  everywhere.  But  what  cheered  us  most  was  the 
sight  of  our  own  boys  going  up  to  the  front  in  trains.  When  we 
passed  the  American  hospital  train,  with  its  huge  well-appointed 
cars,  we  felt  proud,  .but  we  felt  prouder  when  the  wounded 

shouted  out  of  the  windows,  "Hurry  up  and  lick  h out  of  the 

Boche:"  There  was  the  spirit  that  we  all  hoped  to  have  when  it 
came  our  turn  to  go  to  the  front.  The  mourning,  which  nearly 
every  woman  wore,  showed  us  the  toll  that  war  had  exacted 
from  France,  our  own  wounded  showed  that  we  would  have  to 
pay  our  price,  but  the  men  felt  more  determined  than  ever  to  do 
their  part. 

On  our  second  arrival  at  Rimaucourt  the  men  were  detrained 
and  the  baggage  unloaded.  There  was  no  place  for  us  to  stay 


36  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


there,  the  area  around  was  already  occupied  by  the  86th  Division, 
and  there  was  no  transportation  for  our  baggage.  It  was  a 
case  of  get  out  and  trust  to  luck  that  the  baggage  would  follow. 
While  the  cars  were  being  unloaded  orders  assigning  the  com- 
panies to  billets  were  received  over  the  phone  at  the  railhead. 
"E"  Company  was  assigned  to  Longchamp  les  Millieres.  A  lone 
billet  and  a  place  where  it  could  be  independent.  It  was  the 
only  "one  company"  billet  in  the  regiment  and  we  were  lucky 
to  get  it.  After  baggage  was  unloaded  a  hasty  meal  was  made 
from  the  travel  ration,  supplemented  by  some  liquids  which  the 
men  had  managed  to  buy  at  a  nearby  estamient.  At  six  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  we  were  ready  to  march  and  the  command 
"fall  in"  was  given. 

It  was  nineteen  kilometers,  nearly  twelve  miles,  to  Long- 
champ.  The  men  had  been  on  the  train,  in  rest  camp,  or  on 
boats  for  a  month;  they  were  soft  and  out  of  condition.  Could 
they  make  the  march?  Would  "E"  Company  go  thru  without 
losing  a  man?  Packs  were  heavy  but  spirits  were  high  when  we 
started  out  of  Rimaucourt  the  evening  of  July  24th.  From  the 
town  we  had  a  long  up-hill  pull;  bad  for  a  starter.  "E''  Company 
was  on  the  tail  of  the  column,  and  before  long  it  saw  men  drop 
from  ","  "D,"  "G"  and  "F"  Companies;  but,  with  every  man 
dropped  by  another  company,  determination  to  stick  it  out  be- 
came more  fixed.  After  the  first  hill  was  topped  the  march  was 
thru  a  rolling  country.  The  road  was  good  and,  when  darkness 
fell,  a  full  moon  arose  to  light  the  way.  By  eight  o'clock  we 
had  come  to  the  parting  of  the  ways.  "E"  Company  swung  to 
the  left  toward  Longchamp,  while  the  remainder  of  the  column 
held  to  the  right  toward  Bourdons  and  Forcy.  "F"  and  "G" 
Companies  could  have  saved  a  long-  march  by  following  us,  but 
they  went  the  long  way  to  Millieres,  thru  Bourdons  and  Forcy. 
By  nine  o'clock  the  march  had  become  hard  work  fqr  the  soft- 
ened bodies,  and  more  frequent  rests  were  necessary.  There 
was  an  extra  pair  of  shoes,  an  overcoat,  a  slicker  and  a  suit  of 
blue  denims  in  each  pack,  and  the  load  was  a  heavy  one. 

About  ten  o'clock  we  passed  the  little  village  of  Consigny. 
The  population,  women  and  children,  turned  out  to  greet  us. 
We  were  the  first  American  troops  they  had  seen,  and  they 
wanted  to  know  how  many  Americans  were  over,  and  were 
joyous  when  we  told  them  that  there  were  over  a  million.  From 
these  people  we  learned  that  it  was  only  two  kilometers  to 
Longchamp,  so  that  the  rest  of  the  march  was  made  with  good 
cheer.  Billets  were  reached  by  10:30  p.  m.,  but  there  was  no 
one  to  meet  us  or  greet  us.  We  had  dropped  only  one  man  on 
the  road,  but  the  others  were  glad  to  drop  in  their  tracks  on 
the  village  streets,  while  the  officers  located  billets.  The  mayor 
was  located  while  the  men  rested.  Fat  and  pursey  was  that 
Longchamp  mayor,  with  eyes  like  a  pig,  that  were  always  look- 
ing for  the  main  chance.  After  Captain  Graupner  and  Lieuts. 
Bruce  and  Young  worked  with  him  for  a  while  he  assigned 
the  men  to  their  billets. 

The   tired   and   sleeping   men   were   aroused   and   conducted 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    IXF. 37 

in  detachments,  past  the  family  manure  piles,  thru  the  wagon 
as,  to  the  ladders  that  led  to  their  sleeping  lofts.  There  was 
no  straw  for  bed-sacks  that  night,  but  no  one  cared.  Everybody 
was  accustomed  to  hard  board  beds  after  the  trip  in  side-door 
Pullmans.  It  was  after  midnight  when  the  skipper,  Lieut.  Bruce 
and  Sergt.  Morris  held  up  the  ration  trucks  passing  thru  the 
village  and  got  rations  for  the  next  day.  Sergt.  Morris  came 
very"  near  landing  a  courtmartial  for  himself.  He  stopped  the 
truck  train  and  was  interrogated  by  a  Q.  M.  Lieutenant. 
Morris  did  not  see  the  leather  leggings,  and  the  bars  were  cov- 
ered by  a  mackinaw.  He  was  giving  the  lieutenant  a  good 
course  in  strong  language  and  was  preparing  to  follow  it  up 
with  a  blow,  when  Lieut.  Bruce  stepped  into  the  breach  and 
saved  the  day,  or  rather  the  night.  Anyway,  the  company  got 
its  rations. 


XI.     IN  BILLETS  AT  LONGCHAMP. 

"Keep   the   home-fires   burning, 

"U'hile  your  hearts  are  yearning, 
"Though  your  lads  are  far  away 

"They  dream  of  Home; 
"There's  a  sih'er  lining, 

"Through   the  dark  cloud  shining, 
"Turn  the  dark  cloud  inside  out, 

"Till  the  boys  come  home." 

(Keep  the  Home  Fires  Burning.) 

When  morning  dawned  on  July  25th  the  company  had  a 
chance  to  look  around  and  see  what  their  billet  village  was  like. 
They  found  that  it  consisted  of  four  streets — Rue  Reynal,  Rue 
de  la  Fontaine,  Rue  del  Eglise  and  Rue  de  Millieres — forming  an 
irregular  rectangle.  The  streets  were  lined  on  both  sides  with 
stone  houses  with  red-tiled  roofs.  In  front  of  each  house  was 
the  most  valuable  family  possession — the  manure  pile.  After 
a  view-  of  the  village  we  could  appreciate  the  reason  why  Captain 
Bruce  Bairnsfather  of  the  British  Army  described  a  French 
billet  as  "a  three-sided  red  tiled  building  with  a  rectangular 
smell  in  the  middle.'  Lieut.  Xewmyer  made  an  inspection  and 
requested  a  detail  of  men  to  clean  up  the  manure  piles.  The 
skipper  told  him  that  he  could  have  a  detail  to  tear  down  the 
church  and,  if  the  villagers  did  not  object  to  that,  he  could  then 
have  a  detail  to  remove  the  manure  piles.  After  a  little  investi- 
gation the  doctor  decided  to  rest  satisfied  with  condemning  the 
well  water  and  cleaning  out  the  laundry  pool.  If  any  one  wanted 
to  start  a  riot  among  the  villagers  all  that  he  needed  to  do  was 
to  sweep  manure  from  one  side  of  the  street  to  a  pile  on  the 
other  side. 

As  we  afterwards  discovered,  Longchamp  was  the  cleanest 
and  best  of  the  villages  in  the  regimental  billet  area.  With  a 
little  cleaning  up  the  lofts  were  not  bad  sleeping  places,  and 
the  men  were  not  so  crowded  as  thev  were  elsewhere  in  the 


38  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


area.  The  water  of  the  Fountain  spring  was  good  and  did  not 
require  boiling  or  chlorination.  There  was  a  good  drill  area  not 
far  away,  with  satisfactory  sites  for  rifle  and  grenade  ranges. 
The  bath  house  was  soon  put  in  working  order,  so  that  all  could 
keep  clean.  The  loss  of  the  field  ranges  made  cooking  difficult 
until  they  were  recovered.  Rations  came  with  regularity,  but 
there  was  sometimes  but  little  variety,  and  fresh  vegetables  were 
scarce  and  poor  in  quality.  However,  with  the  assistance  of  an 
occasional  omelet,  or  rabbit,  and  the  "vin  ordinaire,"  everyone 
managed  to  get  along  without  starvation  or  privation.  The 
establishment  of  the  company  canteen  provided  candy  and 
sweets  for  all  the  men — when  the  commissary  could  get  them. 

On  July  28th  our  first  Sunday  in  Longchamp,  the  entire 
company  went  to  church.  The  venerable  village  church,  with 
its  worn  stone  floor  and  worm-eaten  wooden  benches,  had  prob- 
ably never  seen  such  a  large  congregation  within  the  last  hun- 
dred years.  "Curley"  Heard  proved  his  bravery  when  he 
essayed  to  play  church  music  on  the  pocket  edition  organ  which 
Lieut.  Young  found  in  the  village.  "Curley"  was  good  on  "rag," 
but  what  he  knew  about  hymns  was  little.  The  old  "Cure"  was 
pleased  to  see  the  Americans  in  force  in  his  church,  and  deliv- 
ered a  wonderful  sermon  of  welcome,  in  which  he  admonished 
the  villagers  to  be  courteous  to  the  new  friends  of  France.  When 
he  came  to  the  parts  of  the  mass  where  singing  was  in  order, 
his  stern  command  "chanter,  chanter,"  put  the  men  in  disorder. 
A  fairly  good  showing  was  made  on  "America,"  but  the  ma- 
jority fell  down  on  the  Doxology  and  Onward  Christian  Soldiers. 
If  the  old  padre  had  called  for  another  "chant,"  it  would  have 
been  "Over  There,"  or  "The  Old  Grey  Mare,"  or  nothing.  As  it 
was,  "Curley"  was  making  hard  weather  with  his  attempt  to 
slow  down  for  church  singing. 

The  chief  sport  of  Longchamp  was  egg  hunting.  Every 
man  felt  it  his  duty  to  convert  himself  into  an  incubator.  As 
appetites  were  keen,  eggs  scarce,  and  knowledge  of  French  poor, 
the  men  had  a  difficult  game.  In  the  early  morning  and  imme- 
diately after  retreat  the  hunt  began.  To  an  American  onlooker 
it  would  have  appeared  that  the  men  were  attempting  to  con- 
vert themselves  into  pigs.  The  manner  of  asking  for  eggs  con- 
sisted in  a  man  going  up  to  the  door  of  a  house  and  saying 
"havvy  vous  uggs,  oofs,  ufTs — you  savvy  eggs?"  and  then  for 
fear  of  being  misunderstood  adding  a  few  grunts  to  approximate 
the  sound  of  the  French  pronunciation  of  "oeuf."  If  a  man  made 
himself  understood  it  was  a  ten  to  one  chance  that  he  would 
not  get  any  eggs,  for  Tille,  Reynaud  and  Comeaux,  who  spoke 
French  fluently,  generally  cleaned  up  the  village  each  day.  If  he 
succeeded  in  getting  any  eggs  he  won  the  game,  and  had  a  fry 
or  an  omelet  as  the  prize.  One  of  the  men  who  had  been  unable 
to  get  any  eggs  was  telling  his  troubles.  Corporal  George  J. 
Arnold  heard  the  sad  story  and,  having  been  studying  a  French 
dictionary,  volunteered  to  help.  He  approached  a  kitchen  door 
and  said,  "Madam,  some  owfs."  Madam  replied  "no  compre." 
Whereupon  Arnold  repeated  his  attempt.  Again  Madam  replied 


OF   E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  39 

"no  compre."  Arnold  looked  rather  blankly  at  the  man  he  had 

volunteered  to  assist  and  said — "H ,  let's  go;  I  can't  talk 

this  stuff." 

There  were  not  many  girls  in  Longchamp,  and  they  were 
not  strong  on  good  looks.  They  were  girls,  just  the  same,  and 
did  not  lack  for  attentions  from  the  men.  But  when  the  two 
Parisiannes  struck  the  village — Oo-la-la !  They  were  the  best 
looking  girls  we  had  seen  since  we  struck  France.  What  a  rush 
there  was !  The  sergeants,  or  at  least  some  of  them,  seemed  to 
have  the  inside  track,  tho  a  few  buck  privates  hung  around. 
The  two  enchantresses  cut  quite  a  swath  during  their  two  weeks 
in  the  village.  But  the  war  is  over,  and  it  will  not  do  to  give 
names,  or  tell  too  much  in  these  pages.  The  officers  impartially 
paid  attention  to  the  judge's  daughter,  but,  after  they  aban- 
doned the  field  in  the  evenings  a  certain  sergeant  was  not  above 
taking  lessons  in  French  from  her.  She,  however,  was  a  match 
in  wits  for  any  of  the  Americans. 

The  chief  characters  of  the  village  were  the  mayor,  the 
shepherd  and  the  town  crier.  The  mayor  was  popular,  in  spite 
of  his  fat  body  and  crafty  ways,  because  he  ran  the  village  wine 
shop.  When  he  ran  the  prices  up  his  popularity  waned  and  a 
boycott  was  declared.  This  boycott  was  backed  by  threats 
among  the  men  to  "souse"  the  first  violator  in  the  village  laun- 
dry pool.  It  produces  some  hardship  among  the  men,  particu- 
larly to  Sergeant  WTorks.  "Du  pain  et  confiture"  was  sold  by 
the  mayor,  and  Works  did  not  know  whether  the  boycott  ran 
against  that  or  not.  Finally  his  love  for  jam  overcame  his  fear 
for  a  soiled  bath,  and  in  the  late  evening  hours  he  would  steal 
over  and  persuade  Rosie  to  sell  him  huge  slabs  of  bread  with 
jam  in  generous  smear  thereon.  The  mayor  thought  the  captain 
had  ordered  the  boycott  and  called  a  town  meeting  to  protest. 
After  interviewing  the  captain  he  was  still  at  a  loss  to  know 
who  caused  the  trouble.  However,  some  one  told  him  the  cause 
for  the  price  of  wine  was  reduced. 

The  shepherd  was  a  picturesque  character  to  look  at,  but 
was  a  wise  old  bird.  With  his  flowing  beard,  his  long  blue 
smock,  his  crook  and  his  horn,  he  looked  like  a  character  from 
one  of  Rembrandt's  paintings.  He  was  far  from  being  a  dead 
one,  however.  He  tried  to  stick  the  company  fund  for  a  young 
fortune  for  damages  he  insisted  we  had  done  to  the  pasturage 
on  the  drill  ground.  The  town  crier,  with  his  century  old  drum, 
held  himself  an  important  character,  as  in  fact  he  was.  He  was 
the  village  newspaper  and  announcer.  He  was  always  the 
cause  of  a  good  laugh  when  he  pounded  the  old  drum  and  at- 
tempted to  tell  the  news  of  the  day  in  rapid  French. 

Mail  brought  to  the  officers  one  of  the  troubles  of  being 
in  France.  Every  Sunday  produced  a  flood  of  letters  for  home, 
and  incidentally  two  or  three  nights'  work  for  the  officers. 
Censoring  mail  was  not  a  popular  sport  among  the  officers,  as 
many  believed.  It  might  have  been  entertaining  to  have  read 
an  occasional  love  letter,  but  when  they  had  to  read  a  bushel 
basket  of  sweet  and  honeyed  letters,  no !  After  a  week  in  quiet 


40  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


Longchamps,  it  was  a  terrific  test  to  read  letters  telling  the  folks 
at  home  how  the  brave  boys  of  "E"  Company  were  catching 
bullets  in  their  teeth  and  wading  knee-deep  in  German  blood. 
Some  of  the  boys  thought  that  the  home  people  needed  excite- 
ment. Mail  from  home  was  another  matter.  Everybody  was 
crazy  to  get  it  and  crazy  if  they  didn't  get  it.  It  did  not  matter 
how  much  the  folks  at  home  camouflaged  about  their  being 
happy  and  glad  to  have  us  serve  our  country,  we  believed  it  all. 
We  just  wanted  to  see  a  postage  stamp  with  the  U.  S.  A.  post 
mark  and  an  envelope  addressed  to  us ;  it  did  not  matter  what 
was  on  the  inside.  The  first  mail  from  home  reached  Long- 
champs  on  August  3rd,  and  it  was  a  happy  group  that  lined 
up  in  front  of  the  orderly  room  to  get  letters.  A  disappointed 
and  homesick  lot  were  those  who  found  that  there  was  no  mail 
for  them. 

One  of  the  tragedies  of  Longchamps  was  the  discovery  by 
Sergeant  Killeen  that  he  could  not  trust  his  bunkie.  In  some 
way  his  cigarettes  had  gotten  wet.  He  did  not  want  to  throw 
them  away  because  cigarettes  were  scarce.  He  explained  the 
situation  to  Sergeant  Bolton,  who  immediately  volunteered  to 
show  Killeen  a  safe  place  to  put  his  "fags,"  and  have  the  sun 
dry  them  out  while  the  company  was  at  drill.  Bolton  beat 
Killeen  back  to  billets,  got  the  dried  cigarettes  and  distributed 
them  among  the  sergeants,  leaving  Killeen  without  a  smoke. 
Killeen  then  and  there  declared  that  there  was  not  a  sergeant 
in  the  company  that  he  would  trust.  Patlavch  put  one  over  on 
his  bunkie,  Private  Howard  Robinson.  Patty  had  just  learned 
that  he  had  been  rated  Private  First  Class.  On  his  way  back 
to  billets  Robinson  joined  him  with  a  long  story  to  tell.  Patty 
didn't  say  a  word  until  he  met  Sergeant  Young,  and  to  him  he 
put  this  question,  "Say,  sergeant,  do  we  first  class  privates  have 
to  take  a  long  line  of  talk  from  an  ordinary  buck  private?"  Rob- 
inson was  speechless  for  an  hour. 

On  July  31st  Lieuts.  Russell  and  Young  left  the  village  and 
the  company  to  attend  the  Line  School  for  Officers  at  Langres. 
This  meant,  tho  no  one  knew  it  at  the  time,  that  the  battalion 
would  lose  Lieut.  Russell  and  that  Lieut.  Young  was  gone  from 
the  company  forever.  Both  officers  made  good  at  the  Line 
School  and  were  ordered  to  the  Staff  College,  and  from  there 
both  were  ordered  to  General  Headquarters  at  Chaumont.  Major 
Gregory  was  supposed  to  have  battalion  headquarters  at  Long- 
champs,  but  the  village  saw  little  of  him.  When  we  first  ar- 
rived, he  was  at  Field  Officers'  School  at  Langres.  When  he 
joined  us  on  August  3rd  he  was  promptly  ordered  away  to 
Brigade  Headquarters  to  act  as  adjutant,  and  did  not  return 
until  August  29th.  Then  he  wras  ordered  away  again  and  we 
did  not  see  him  again  until  we  reached  Gondrecourt.  Sergeant 
Daniels  was  sent  to  attend  the  Corps  Gas  School,  and  on  his 
return  was  made  battalion  gas  N.  C.  O.  On  August  24th  Lieut. 
Bruce  and  Corp.  Wells  were  ordered  to  attend  the  Army  Corps 
School  at  Gondrecourt,  and  we  did  not  see  either  of  them  again 
until  the  second  day  of  the  Argonne-Meuse  battle.  During  the 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    IXF.  41 

time  we  were  at  Longchamps  Col.  Weeks  was  in  command  of 
the  182nd  Brigade.  A  part  of  that  time  Major  George  X.  Davis 
was  in  command  of  the  regiment,  and  was  succeeded  about  the 
second  week  in  August  by  Lieut.-Col.  John  J.  Mudgett.  Brigade 
and  regimental  commanders  did  not  visit  "E"  Company  very 
often,  it  was  too  far  away  from  headquarters. 

During  the  six  weeks  the  company  wras  in  billets,  it  worked 
hard  preparing  for  the  future.  It  was  hard  to  become  accus- 
tomed to  the  "tin  derbies."  The  weight  made  one's  neck 
muscles  ache,  the  metal,  when  heated  by  the  sun,  made  heads 
ache,  and  the  oilcloth  sweat  band  made  heads  perspire  like  a 
hammam  bath.  They  afterwards  proved  to  be  fine  protection, 
but,  when  we  first  began  to  wear  them,  everyone  considered 
them  the  invention  of  the  devil.  A  laiason  section  was  formed 
and  "Bill"  Miller  was  promoted  to  corporal  and  placed  in  charge. 
This  section  worked  hard  in  signaling,  message  sending  and  re- 
ceiving, and  maintenance  of  communication,  and  much  credit 
is  clue  Miller  because  this  section  was  exceptionally  well  trained. 
Signaling  and  communication  work  had  to  be  altered  to  suit 
conditions  that  were  found  in  France.  The  hours  spent  at  Camp 
Lewis  on  semaphore  training  proved  to  be  entirely  useless,  and 
wig-wagging  was  useful  only  in  that  it  had  trained  the  men  in 
the  use  of  the  Morse  code.  Very  little  signal  apparatus  was 
furnished  the  company  for  practice.  Blinker  lights  were  issued 
in  France,  but  without  instructions  for  their  use.  The  signal 
rockets,  flares  and  Very  lights  were  French,  and  the  limited 
directions  for  the  use  were  in  French,  hence  useless.  The 
training  area  assigned  by  the  mayor  was  secluded,  and  the 
company  was  fortunate  in  having  its  own  rifle  and  grenade 
ranges.  The  rifle  and  automatic  sections  did  constant  and  ex- 
cellent practice  work.  Sergeants  Works  and  Killeen  handled  the 
grenade  training  with  great  credit  to  themselves.  In  spite  of 
the  danger  in  handling  the  grenades  they  put  the  whole  com- 
pany thru  without  a  single  accident.  Sergeants  'Holder  and 
Wtston  did  good  work  on  bayonet  training  and  put  a  lot  of 
"pep"  into  the  men.  Games,  such  as  O'Grady  on  parade,  Powder 
River  and  three  deep,  helped  to  harden  the  men  and  make  them 
more  active,  and  added  a  little  fun  to  otherwise  monotonous 
work.  All  of  the  N.C.O's  deserve  credit  for  the  way  they  took 
hold  of  things  and  for  the  initiative  they  displayed  while  at 
Longchamps.  Much  work  was  done  in  training  the  company 
in  the  new  extended  order  formation,  and  particularly  in  taking 
cover.  This  work  was  extremely  important,  and  proved  its 
value  when  the  company  went  over  the  top  on  September  27. 
Under  the  A.  E.  F.  organization  it  was  necessary  to  detail  cer- 
tain men  from  the  company  for  work  at  battalion  headquarters. 
Corporals  Elmer  L.  Bernard,  Henry  A.  Dustin  and  George  J.  M. 
Guhrt,  with  Privates  1st  Class  David  F.  Weaver  and  Erick  S. 
Swansea  were  chosen  for  the  intelligence  section;  while  Pri- 
vates 1st  Class  Edward  Sywulka,  J.  J.  H.  McGowan,  A.  M. 
Robinson,  M.  M.  A.  Ortiz  and  W.  S.  Jordan  were  selected  as  bat- 
talion runners.  These  men  were  a  distinct  loss  to  the  company 
but  all  did  excellent  work  with  the  headquarters. 


42  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


Once  each  week  the  laiason  and  headquarters  section  went 
to  brigade  or  division  maneuvers.  These  problems  were  out- 
lined, for  it  was  impossible  to  over-run  the  cultivated  fields  with 
a  full  brigade  or  division,  and  were  for  the  purpose  of  training 
officers  and  men  in  establishing  and  maintaining  lines  of  com- 
munication. Unfortunately,  few  outside  of  brigade  and  regimen- 
tal headquarters  derived  any  benefit  from  these  moneuvers.  For 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  companies  they  were,  as  a  rule,  un- 
profitable and  uninteresting.  There  were  several  regimental 
and  battalion  marches,  and  battalion  and  company  maneuvers 
and  problems.  Mennevaux,  Esnouveaux,  Ageville  and  Mandres 
soon  became  known  as  villages  to  which  unwelcome  marches 
were  made  by  the  men  for  the  purpose  of  doing  something  in  a 
maneuver,  about  which  they  knew  nothing.  Thol  was  visited 
once  or  twice  by  the  company  on  maneuvers,  but  more  fre- 
quently by  the  men  to  buy  beer.  Much  was  done  to  give  the 
sergeants  and  corporals  responsibility,  and  they  accepted  the 
burdens  and  proved  themselves  fitted  for  their  warrants. 

The  bane  of  our  existence  in  Longchamp  was  saluting.  The 
saluting  requirements  at  Camp  Lewis  had  been  rigid,  but  in 
France  they  were  redoubled.  Even  while  on  field  service  or 
fatigue  there  was  no  relief.  The  climax  came  when  orders  were 
received  directing  "that  troops  of  this  command  be  trained  in 
throwing  back  their  heads  in  executing  salutes,  simultaneously 
with  the  bringing  up  of  the  hand,  so  as  to  give  the  effect  of  a 
smart  salute."  To  follow  this  order  meant  to  violate  the  pro- 
visions of  I.  D.  R.,  but  we  followed  the  order.  The  men  soon 
learned  to  look  at  the  sun  and  salute,  at  the  same  time  control- 
ing  their  desire  to  laugh.  Shortly  after  the  men  acquired  this 
new  accomplishment  Major  Gregory  came  into  Longchamps. 
He  got  a  full  share  of  "aeroplane"  or  "throwback"'  salutes,  and 
inquired  of  the  skipper  why  "the  men  were  giving  such  d— 
fool  salutes?"  The  captain  showed  the  division  order,  and  the 
Major  retorted,  "Well,  it  may  be  orders,  but  it  looks  like  h !" 

Pay  day  at  Longchamp  was  an  important  day.  The  first  one 
was  especially  interesting.  For  the  first  time  the  men  were 
paid  in  francs.  When  each  man  marched  up  to  be  paid  he  re- 
ceived a  stack  of  French  paper  money  that  looked  like  a  thou- 
sand dollars.  It  wasn't  very  much,  but  the  French  people,  who 
had  never  seen  a  soldier  get  so  much  money,  thought  the  Ameri- 
cans were  millionaires.  Immediately  they  jumped  the  prices  of 
eggs  and  wine.  There  was  another  pay  day  while  the  men 
"were  in  the  village  but  it  did  not  equal  the  first  in  importance, 
for,  by  the  time  that  first  pay  day  came,  all  excepting  the  "tight 
wads"  and  the  "lucky  ones"  were  broke. 

During  the  latter  part  of  August  water  became  very  scarce. 
Some  of  the  village  wells  went  dry  and  the  spring  had  so  little 
flow  that  the  laundry  pool  was  continually  dry.  The  mayor, 
remembering  the  boycott  on  his  wine  joint,  thought  to  even 
matters  up  with  the  company  by  placing  a  boycott  on  the  use 
of  water  from  the  spring.  This  led  to  friction,  but  no  trouble 
resulted.  After  a  guard  was  placed  at  the  spring  with  orders  to 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  43 

see  that  no  one  interfered  with  the  cooks  or  men  in  getting  water, 
the  mayor  backed  down.  He  growled  and  made  threats,  but  did 
not  care  to  attempt  to  go  up  against  the  armed  guard. 

During  the  period  the  company  was  in  billets,  worn  cloth- 
ing, shoes  and  equipment  were  replaced.  New  equipment  was 
issued,  including  automatic  rifles,  pistols  and  trench  knives;  all 
old  stuff,  including  the  hated  blue  denims,  was  salvaged.  On 
Monday,  September  2nd,  the  order  to  prepare  to  move  was  re- 
ceived. There  was  final  inspection  of  equipment,  a  final  salvag- 
ing of  old  junk,  a  general  policing  of  billets  and  the  billet  area. 
At  noon  on  the  3rd  orders  came  to  march  out  at  2  p.  m.  Packs 
were  made  up,  quarters  were  finally  policed  and  dinner  eaten. 
Then  we  were  ready  to  go. 

Lieut.  McCune,  as  Town  Major,  was  left  behind  to  settle 
claims.  He  had  some  job.  When  the  mayor  was  notified  that 
the  people  must  present  their  claims,  he  ordered  the  town  crier 
to  publish  the  news.  After  beating  his  drum  until  he  had  an 
audience,  the  crier  announced  that  the  Americans  were  leaving 
town  and  wanted  all  claims  for  damages  to  be  presented,  that 
the  Americans  were  rich,  and  that  the  people  should  not  be 
stingy  with  themselves  in  making  claims.  Lieut.  McCune  was 
flooded  with  claims.  The  people  demanded  payment  for  every 
window,  door  and  article  that  had  been  broken  since  the  days 
pf  Napoleon  Bonaparte's  boyhood.  They  sought  payment  for 
more  things  that  they  claimed  had  been  stolen  than  the  village 
contained.  The  mayor  thought  that  he  had  put  one  over  to 
counterbalance  the  boycott  and  the  refusal  to  obey  his  orders 
not  to  take  water  from  the  spring.  The  Scotch  blood  in  Lieut. 
McCune  beat  the  mayor's  game.  Claims  for  a  hundred  or  more 
francs  were  settled  with  a  couple  of  cakes  of  issue  soap,  and  he 
talked  some  of  the  people  into  withdrawing  their  claims.  The 
company  fund  book  is  not  at  hand,  but,  if  memory  is  to  be 
trusted,  Lieut.  McCune  settled  about  two  thousand  francs  in 
claims  for  forty-five  francs  in  money  and  a  box  of  issue  soap. 
The  moral  of  this  story  is — that  a  Frenchman  stands  no  chance 
against  a  Scotchman,  especially  an  Americanized  half-blooded 
Scot. 


44  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


XII.     FROM  LONGCHAMPS  TO  AMANTY. 

"Oh,  Uncle  Sammy  he  needs  the  infantry, 

"He  needs  the  artillery, 
"He  needs  the  cavalry, 

"And  then,  by  gosh,  we'll  march  into  Germany 
"And  catch  old  Kaiser  Bill." 

(The  Old  Gray  Mare — with   Variations.) 

Promptly  at  2  p.  m.  on  September  3rd  the  company  fell  in, 
ready  to  march  to — orders  said  to  Essey  les  Eaux,  but  where 
were  we  to  go  from  there?  The  villagers  gathered  to  see  us 
march.  Many  of  them  were  genuinely  sorry  to  see  the  men 
leave,  for  they  knew  that  death  hovered  somewhere  at  the  end 
of  the  march.  Others  were  sorry  at  our  going  for  the  loss  of 
profits,  for  the  men  had  spent  beaucoup  francs  in  that  little 
village,  and  real  money  was  scarce  there.  The  judge  and  the 
old  padre  were  there  to  say  good-bye,  and  the  padre  gave  his 
blessing.  When  the  order  to  march  was  given  most  of  the 
women  were  in  tears.  The  men  were  sorry  to  leave.  Life  there 
had  been  quiet,  but  interesting  and  pleasant.  They  were  leav- 
ing for  the  front,  whether  for  the  trenches  or  for  the  field  they 
knew  not,  but  peace  and  quiet  would  not  be  their  lot  for  many  a 
day. 

The  way  led  thru  Buxieres  and  Ninville  to  Essey  les  Eaux. 
This  latter  turned  out  to  be  the  dirtiest  village  we  had  yet  seen, 
and  all  the  water  there  was  undrinkable.  The  Lister  bags  were 
filled  with  water  hauled  from  Donnemarie,  and  that  had  to  be 
chlorinated.  At  Essey  les  Eaux  we  found  "H"  Company  under 
command  of  Lieut.  Deming  Bronson,  and  there  both  companies 
remained  until  the  sixth  of  the  month,  waiting  for  the  railhead 
to  clear.  The  men  spent  much  time  in  the  old  game  of  egg  hunt- 
ing, even  going  over  to  Ninville  in  their  search.  Corporal 
Schwertfeger  was  perfectly  happy;  he  had  no  paper  work  to  do, 
he  made  a  big  haul  of  eggs  at  Ninville,  and  he  could  buy  all  of 
the  milk  he  could  drink  at  Essey.  There  were  others  just  as 
happy  as  he,  for  the  same  reasons. 

The  mystery  of  the  stay  in  Essey  les  Eaux  was  Rosie's  visit. 
On  September  5th,  who  should  come  into  the  village  but  Rosie 
on  her  bicycle.  She  rode  up  and  down  the  street  greeting  all 
the  boys  she  knew  impartially,  but  evidently  she  was  looking 
for  some  particular  person.  Then  she  chatted  around  in  an  aim- 
less fashion,  but  was  always  looking  around.  To  this  day  the 
mystery  has  not  been  solved.  Was  she  spying,  did  Sergeant 
Works  owe  her  for  bread  and  jam  and  leave  without  paying,  or 
had  she  found  that  Nick  Luchich  had  left  Longchamp  with  some 
money  remaining  in  his  pockets?  On  the  afternoon  of  the  5th 
Lieut.  McCune  and  the  detail  that  had  been  left  behind  at  Long- 
champ  to  guard  the  baggage  joined  us,  but  they  could  add  no 
light  to  Rosie's  visit. 

At  2  a.  m.  on  September  6th  an  orderly  from  regimental 
headquarters  wakened  Capt.  Graupner  and  gave  him  orders  to 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    IXF.  45 

march  to  Rolampont.  At  seven  o'clock  Companies  "E"  and  "H" 
marched  out  of  Essey  les  Eaux,  and  glad  they  were  to  leave  that 
dirty  village  behind.  A  wagon  had  been  hired  from  the  mayor 
of  Essey,  and  in  it  was  placed  the  chauchats  rifles,  the  mussette 
bags,  and  a  lot  of  extra  baggage.  This  lightened  the  load  of  the 
automatic  riflemen  and  carriers,  and  made  marching  easier.  This 
march  was  not  a  hard  one,  it  lay  thru  very  pleasant  country, 
and  gave  the  men  new  scenery.  The  rain,  however,  made  it 
disagreeable.  The  way  led  thru  Nogent  en  Bassigny  and  Nogent 
les  Bas.  This  gave  all  a  chance  to  see  a  little  of  the  famous  old 
town.  After  leaving  Nogent  the  rain  came  down  in  torrents  and 
everyone  was  wet  to  the  skin.  However,  the  sun  came  out 
before  we  reached  Rolampont,  and  we  were  more  comfortable. 

Rolampont  was  reached  at  noon.  The  companies  marched 
thru  the  town  and  across  the  famous  River  Marne  to  a  camping 
place  on  the  slopes  west  of  the  town  and  above  the  railroad 
tracks.  There  pup  tents  were  pitched  on  the  slippery  clay  hill 
side  with  the  remainder  of  the  regiment.  Rolampont  was  a  com- 
paratively clean  town,  and  the  men  had  a  chance  to  get  clean  by 
a  swim  in  the  canal.  A  commissary  gave  everyone  the  oppor- 
tunity to  stock  up  with  cigarettes  and  candy.  As  it  was  known 
that  we  were  to  entrain,  the  company  fund  was  used  to  buy 
cigarettes  and  matches  for  use  on  the  trip. 

At  Rolampont  Sergeant  Wynne  put  another  notch  in  his 
record  for  collecting.  The  officers  had  no  shelter  halves  and 
were  compelled  to  go  into  town  for  billets.  When  they  returned 
to  camp  the  next  morning  each  found  a  pair  of  shelter  halves 
fastened  to  his  bedding  roll.  They  did  not  know  where  the 
sergeant  got  them  and  knew  enough  not  to  ask,  but  later  they 
had  a  chance  to  make  a  good  guess.  When  it  came  to  pitching 
tents  the  next  day,  in  the  woods  above  Amanty,  several  officers 
of  the  third  battalion  were  heard  to  swear  aloud  at  some  un- 
known person  who  had  stolen  their  tents.  While  these  officers 
never  identified  the  tents  Sergeant  Wynne  had  collected,  the 
chances  are  that  it  was  because  they  did  not  go  near  "E"  Com- 
pany's tents.  It  developed  long  afterward  that,  during  the  dark- 
ness of  night,  Wynne  had  "lifted"  the  tents  which  officers  of 
the  third  battalion  had  deserted  for  billets  in  town. 

The  company  remained  at  Rolampont  until  4:30  o'clock  on 
the  afternoon  of  September  7th.  Then  it  entrained  for  Gondre- 
court  in  the  same  old  side-door  Pullmans.  This  time,  however, 
we  had  flat  cars  in  the  train,  on  which  were  mounted  machine 
guns  for  anti-aircraft  use.  This  was  a  hint  that  we  were  going 
up  into  the  danger  zone.  The  route  lay  thru  Chaumont  to  Join- 
ville  en  Yallage,  and  then  by  a  branch  road  thru  Poissons.  The 
train  arrived  at  Gondrecourt  shortly  after  midnight.  The  men 
piled  out  into  the  rain  and  pitched  tents  on  the  flat  above  the 
railroad  tracks.  It  was  a  night  of  sleeping  in  the  mud  and  an 
almost  breakfastless  morning.  But  this  was  war,  so  no  one 
complained. 

By  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  battalion  was  on  the 
march.  Thru  the  streets  of  Gondrecourt  it  went  and  then  up  the 


46  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


long  steep  hill  to  the  heights  above  the  town,  and  about  ten 
kilometers  to  the  woods  above  the  village  of  Amanty.  While  on 
this  Sunday  morning  march,  Lieut.  Bruce  joined  the  company 
about  a  mile  out  of  Gondrecourt  and  finished  the  hike  with  the 
company.  He  stayed  at  camp  long  enough  to  get  his  mail,  and 
chat,  and  then  went  back  to  the  Corps  School. 

Now  we  found  we  were  in  the  war  zone.  Orders  were  given 
to  keep  within  the  woods,  to  light  no  matches  nor  cigarettes  at 
night,  and  make  as  little  smoke  in  the  day  time  as  possible.  Pup 
tents  were  hidden  in  the  brush  and  among  the  trees,  to  be  free 
from  aeroplane  observation.  Now  we  knew  that  something  was 
about  to  happen  and  that  the  91st  was  to  have  some  part  in  it. 


XIII.     FROM  AMANTY  TO  PAGNY  SUR  MEUSE. 

"Oh,  here  cames  the  infantry  with  the  dirt  behind  their  ears, 
"Here  comes  the  infantry,  their  pay  is  in  arears  ; 


"The  cavalry,  artillery  and  the  lousy  engineers, 
"They  couldn't  lick  the  infantry  in  a  hundred 


thousand  years." 


The  camp  in  the  woods  was,  in  spite  of  frequent  showers, 
rather  pleasant.  There  was  little  to  do  but  rest,  sleep  and  eat. 
The  woods  were  clean  and  there  was  no  odor  of  manure.  The 
pup  tents  were  snuggled  under  the  brush  and  amid  the  trees, 
and,  with  plenty  of  boughs  and  branches  at  hand,  it  was  easy 
to  make  comfortable  beds.  "Overhead  and  around  the  woods 
were  numberless  aeroplanes.  In  the  woods  between  Amanty 
and  Gondrecourt  was  a  huge  American  aviation  station,  and 
hidden  among  the  trees  between  Amanty  and  Epiez  were  a 
score  of  French  a  erodromes.  From  these  two  stations  planes 
were  constantly  ascending  and  flying  off  toward  the  front  lines 
to  the  east.  Once,  on  the  second  day  of  the  stay  in  camp,  there 
was  a  distant  battle  with  a  squadron  of  enemy's  planes,  which 
many  watched  with  keen  interest. 

The  stay  at  this  camp  was  enlivened  by  pay  day.  Some  of 
the  men  were  able  to  steal  into  Amanty  and  spend  a  little  of 
the  money,  but  most  of  the  francs  went  toward  establishing 
quiet  little  games.  While  there,  1st  Sergeant  Morris  received 
orders  to  report  to  the  Officers  Training  Camp.  His  oppor- 
tunity to  earn  a  commission  had  come,  but  he  was  not  anxious 
to  lose  his  chance  at  a  battle.  His  leaving  resulted  in  Sergeant 
Leonard  Salmon  being  made  "top  cutter."  Mail  was  received 
and  was  a  more  than  welcome  visitor.  Those  who  were  not  too 
busy  courting  the  gods  of  chance  availed  themselves  of  the 
opportunity  to  write  letters  home. 

At  dusk,  on  the  evening  of  September  10th,  the  companies 
fell  in  under  shelter  of  the  trees.  As  darkness  fell,  the  regiment 
was  formed  in  column  on  the  road  and  the  march  was  resumed. 
We  marched  to  Maxey  sur  Vaise  and  then  the  course  lay  along 
that  of  the  River  Meuse,  thru  Burey  en  Vaux,  Vaucouleurs,  and 
St.  Germain  sur  Meuse  to  the  woods  east  of  Ourches.  This 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  47 

night's  march  was  wet  and  ghostly.  As  the  regiment  marched 
thru  the  {owns  the  walls  of  the  houses  echoed  back  the  sound 
of  the  tread  of  hob-nailed  shoes ;  there  was  no  sign  of  light,  and 
no  evidence  of  life.  It  wras  like  marching  thru  cities,  of  the 
dead.  About  ten  o'clock  it  began  to  rain;  the  only  let-up  in  the 
rain  was  when  it  poured  down  in  solid  sheets  of  water.  Here- 
after, when  we  fail  to  mention  the  weather  conditions  in  France, 
it  is  safe  to  say  it  was  raining,  and  that  the  ground  was  wet  and 
muddy.  This  night's  hike  was  thirty-four  kilometers,  and  water- 
soaked  shoes  and  packs  did  not  make  it  a  comfortable  one.  At 
midnight  the  column  was  halted  in  the  little  city  of  Vaucouleurs 
and  the  men  were  given  an  opportunity  to  eat  their  cold  lunch. 
Few  of  the  men  in  that  resting  column  realized  that  they  were 
in  an  historical  city,  one  enshrouded  with  traditions  and  memor- 
ies of  Joan  d'Arc. 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  column  left  the 
road  and  marched  thru  a  ploughed  field  into  a  wood  on  the 
slopes  facing  the  River  Meuse  and  overlooking  the  village  of 
Ourches.  From  this  slope,  in  daylight,  we  could  also  see  St. 
Germain  sur  Meuse  and  Pagny  sur  Meuse.  When  the  company 
entered  the  edge  of  the  woods  the  tired  men  dropped  in  their 
tracks.  They  made  no  attempts  to  erect  pup  tents,  and  some 
of  them  did  not  undo  their  packs.  Nearly  all  dropped  in  open 
places  among  the  trees  and  brush  where,  in  daylight,  they  would 
have  been  easily  visible  to  Boche  aeroplane  observers.  Orders 
were  of  no  avail,  so  the  officers  had  to  rouse  the  tired_  and  sleep- 
ing men  with  the  toes  of  their  boots,  and  force  them  to  crawl 
under  the  brush,  open  their  packs,  and  get  blankets  and  shelter 
halves.  About  the  time  that  everyone  had  finally  settled  down 
orders  came  from  battalion  headquarters  to  send  a  detail  of  six- 
teen men  down  to  unload  the  ration  wagon,  which  had  mired. 
The  wagon  had  to  be  released  and  both  it  and  its  contents  hidden 
before  dawn.  Sergeant  Lucas  happened  to  be  at  hand  when  the 
order  came,  and  he  was  told  to  rouse  out  the  detail.  The  ser- 
geant was  so  weary  that  he  too  was  ready  to  drop  in  his  tracks. 
He  scrambled  up  the  hill,  thru  the  brush,  to  where  he  thought 
the  most  men  were  bunking,  and  bellowed — "Sixteen  of  you  men 
get  down  and  unload  the  ration  wagon."  Every  man  in  the 
company  felt  that  he  was  not  included  in  that  sixteen — not  one 
of  them  budged — all  were  willing  to  let  George  do  it.  The  louder 
the  sergeant  yelled  the  tighter  they  rolled  into  their  blankets. 
Lucas  evidently  thought  he  was  hunting  side-hill  props  (That 
mysterious  animal  that  he  claimed  dwelt  on  the  hillsides  near 
Visalia,  the  legs  of  which  were  shorter  on  one  side  than  on  the 
other,  due  to  their  always  walking  on  side  hills.)  The  officers 
then  sprang  into  the  brush,  giving  the  boot  toe  to  every  man  they 
found  and  ordering  them  to  get  out  and  unload  the  ration 
wagon.  Most  of  them  were  so  sleepy  that  they  only  heard  the 
word  "ration''  (the  only  wrord  a  soldier  always  hears),  and  out 
piled  a  dozen  men  with  mess  kits  in  their  hands,  poor  old 
Porter  in  the  lead. 

After  the  ration  wagon  had  been  unloaded  and  hauled  out  of 


48  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


sight,  every  one  settled  down  to  hard  sleep;  but  all  were  ready 
to  turn  out  when  mess  call  sounded  at  noon.  Across  the  river, 
on  the  crest  of  the  slopes  in  front  of  us,  was  a  large  American 
aviation  camp,  and  the  men  spent  the  day  watching-  the  planes 
come  and  go.  That  night  no  move  was  made,  but  at  midnight 
everyone  was  awakened  by  the  roar  of  artillery.  It  seemed  as 
tho  all  the  thunders  of  hell  had  been  loosened.  To  the  north  the 
flickering  of  the  flames  from  the  cannons'  mouths  and  the  glare 
of  the  flares  and  rockets  -lighted  the  horizon  like  the  aurora 
borealis.  With  dawn  we  could  see  huge  sausage  observation 
balloons  swinging  in  the  air,  but  the  sound  of  the  artillery  de- 
creased somewhat.  At  officers'  meeting  in  the  old  abandoned 
church  on  the  hillside  that  morning,  Col.  Weeks  announced 
that  it  was  "D"  day  and  that  the  battle  of  the  St.  Mihiel  was  on. 
This  was  the  drive  to  straighten  out  the  salient  that  the  Ger- 
mans had  pushed  in  south  of  Verdun,  the  nose  or  point  of  which 
was  at  St.  Mihiel.  The  91st  Division  was  in  reserve,  and  might 
or  might  not  be  needed  in  the  line.  At  that  time  and  place  began 
our  battle  history. 

At  noon  on  September  12th  came  orders  to  move,  and,  after 
mess,  the  regiment  formed  and  marched  into  Pagny  sur  Meuse, 
where  it  billetted.  There,  more  than  a  hundred  motor  trucks 
were  waiting  to  carry  us  up  to  the  front,  if  we  were  needed. 
Just  as  we  entered  the  town  it  commenced  to  rain,  and  while 
the  companies  stood  in  the  streets  awaiting  assignment  to  bil- 
lets, it  poured.  Field  stoves  were  set  up  in  the  streets,  wood 
was  purchased  from  the  townspeople,  and  fires  started.  Just  as 
supper  was  ready  the  "general"  blew.  Companies  were  hastily 
formed  in  column,  ready  to  march.  It  turned  out  that  the  alarm 
was  for  practice  purposes.  The  colonel  wanted  to  discover  how 
short  a  time  it  would  take  to  mobilize  the  regiment  if  orders  to 
march  came.  Apparently  he  was  satisfied.  There  were  no  more 
alarms,  the  men  had  supper  and  settled  down  for  the  night. 


XIV.     THE  PRISON  CAMP  AT  PAGNY-SUR-MEUSE. 

"Mother  take  down  your  service  flag,  your  son's  in  the  S.  0.  S., 

He's  S.  O.  L.,  but  what  the  hell, 

He's  never  suffered  less. 
He's  having  fun  and  lots  of  rum, 

Or  else  I  miss  my  guess. 
Mother  take  down  your  service  flag,  your  son's  in  the  S.  O.  S." 

At  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  September  13th  an  orderly 
a\vakened  Captain  Graupner  and  gave  him  an  order  that  de- 
tached the  officers  and  men  of  the  company  from  the  regiment. 
The  order  directed  that  "E"  Company  proceed  to  the  prison 
cage  near  Pagny-sur-Meuse,  and  that  the  Captain  would  report 
before  6  a.  m.  to  Major  Charles  S.  Smallwood,  Provost  Marshal 
of  the  First  Army,  for  orders.  Where  was  the  prison  cage? 
The  Captain  dressed  and  went  out  into  an  absolutely  black 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    IXF. 49 

night  to  find  out.  At  regimental  headquarters  they  did  not 
know  anything  about  the  location  of  the  cage,  they  knew  only 
that  they  had  been  ordered  to  send  the  company.  Out  into  the 
night  again  went  the  skipper.  He  found  a  gendarme,  but  he 
knew  nothing.  Then  he  found  an  M.  P.  who  knew  nothing, 
but  thought  that  the  sergeant  might  know  something.  A 
stumbling  walk  down  the  dark  street  brought  the  Captain  to  the 
M.  P.  billets,  there  the  sergeant  and  other  M.  P.  knew  nothing, 
but  thought  that  one  of  the  mounted  patrols  might  know  some- 
thing. The  Captain  went  and  wakened  the  company  cooks,  or- 
dered breakfast  for  5  a.  m.,  and  then  started  in  search  of  the 
patrols.  He  found  one  patrol  at  the  cross  roads  on  the  Toul 
road,  but  no  news;  a  patrol  at  the  bridge  on  the  road  to  Void 
was  equally  ignorant,  but  a  patrol  on  the  road  to  the  railway 
station  had  seen  a  lot  of  barbed  wire  unloaded,  and  a  labor  com- 
pany of  negroes  at  work  on  the  far  side  of  the  railway  track.  At 
last,  at  4:30  a.  m.,  a  clue  had  been  found,  and  the  place  described 
turned  out  to  be  the  objective  sought.  The  company  break- 
fasted at  5  a.  m.,  fell  in  and  marched  out  of  Pagny,  and  reported 
at  the  prison  cage  on  schedule  time. 

The  cage  was  far  from  complete  when  the  company  arrived. 
Th£  two  lines  of  outside  wire  had  been  stretched,  but  there  were 
no  gates,  all  of  the  partition  wires  had  not  been  put  in,  there 
were  no  barracks,  no  store  house,  no  guard  house.  There  was  only 
one  building  and  that  was  for  the  intelligence  section  detach- 
ment. Xearly  eight  hundred  prisoners  had  been  received,  and 
there  were  no  rations.  The  negro  laborers  had  been  armed  and 
put  to  guarding  the  prisoners,  and  they  were  a  thoroughly 
frightened  bunch  of  coons.  The  rolling  of  their  eyes  and  the 
smiles  which  lit  their  faces  when  we  arrived  showed  that  they 
were  glad  to  see  some  one  come  and  relieve  them.  Major 
Smallwood  was  in  charge  and  was  glad  to  see  the  company 
arrive,  and  still  more  pleased  to  have  an  officer  to  whom  he 
could  turn  over  responsibility  for  the  cage  and  prisoners.  Major 
McFadden,  assistant  provost  marshal,  was  there,  but  was  told 
that  Captain  Graupner  was  to  have  full  charge  of  the  camp  and 
prisoners. 

Major  Smallwood  left  camp  to  attend  to  his  other  duties, 
and  "E"  Company  was  in  control.  Prisoners  began  to  arrive 
in  large  detachments;  they  had  to  be  counted  and  placed  in 
pens,  rations  had  to  be  obtained  from  Sorcy,  guard  details  had 
to  be  arranged,  and  a  hundred  other  details  attended  to.  There 
was  work  for  every  man,  and  but  little  rest.  Lieut.  Johnson 
was  sent  to  Sorcy  to  rush  up  rations,  for  the  prisoners  had  been 
without  food  for  over  thirty-six  hours.  The  engineer  officer  in 
charge  of  the  labor  company  was  speeded  up  to  complete  the 
cage.  The  intelligence  section  from  army  headquarters  was 
assigned  the  work  of  segregating  and  dividing  the  prisoners, 
in  addition  to  its  work  of  examining  and  registering  them.  Lieut. 
McCune  was  put  in  charge  of  the  guard,  with  the  added  duty  of 
counting  the  prisoners  received  and  evacuated. 

Major   Smallwood   had   left  orders   that   no   one,   regardless 


50  THE   "WAR   BOOK" 


of  rank  or  position,  was  to  be  admitted  inside  of  the  cage  with- 
out a  pass  signed  by  him.  This  led  to  embarrassment.  When 
Col.  Weeks  and  Major  Gregory  came  down  to  look  at  the  cage 
they  naturally  wanted  to  enter  and  see  the  prisoners  at  close 
range,  but,  when  they  were  told  of  the  orders,  accepted  the 
situation  without  complaint.  However,  a  dandy  colonel  from 
G.  H.  Q.  did  not  prove  himself  so  good  a  soldier.  He  was  on 
General  Pershing's  staff  as  aide-de-camp,  he  had  a  limousine 
all  to  himself,  his  uniform  was  new  and  his  boots  shined,  he 
wore  a  garrison  cap,  and  he  had  a  pocketful  of  passes,  but  he 
did  not  have  a  pass  signed  by  Major  Smallwood.  When  he  was 
refused  admission  to  the  cage  he  told  the  skipper  who  he  was 
and  what  he  was  and  showed  his  passes.  When  he  was  again 
refused  admission  and  told  the  kind  of  a  pass  he  was  required 
to  have,  he  told  his  whole  story  over  and  offered  to  write  a  pass 
for  himself  and  sign  General  Pershing's  name.  When  he  was 
again  denied  admission  he  flew  into  a  rage  of  injured  dignity, 
called  upon  Major  Gregory  and  Lieut.  McCune  to  witness  the 
dreadful  manner  in  which  he  had  been  treated,  and  threatened 
to  courtmartial  the  Captain.  Then  he  flounced  into  his  limou- 
sine and  sped  back  to  Ligny  en  Barrois,  where  he  told  the  Chief 
of  Staff  of  the  First  Army  his  troubles  and  was  told  that  if 
there  was  any  courtmartial  he  might  get  it  himself.  At  least 
he  accomplished  some  good,  for  orders  were  issued  giving  the 
C.  O.  of  the  cage  a  certain  amount  of  discretion  in  admitting 
visitors. 

During  the  13th,  14th  and  15th,  both  night  and  day,  prison- 
ers were  constantly  arriving.  Detachments  varied  in  size  from 
one  hundred  to  eight  hundred  Germans.  With  the  exception  of 
the  officers  all  had  been  marched  back  from  their  places  of  cap- 
ture. They  arrived  tired,  hungry,  footsore  and  exhausted. 
Among  them  were  Prussians,  Bavarians,  Hanoverians,  Wurtem- 
burgers,  Alsacians,  Saxons,  Austrians  and  Hungarians.  Most 
of  them  were  young  men,  tho  a  few  were  older  men  of  the  re- 
serves. Among  them  were  two  entire  battalions  that  were 
captured  the  first  day  of  the  battle.  Immediately  on  arrival  the 
Alsacians  were  segregated  and  placed  in  a  separate  pen,  and 
from  them  the  intelligence  section  obtained  much  valuable  in- 
formation. Doubting  their  loyalty,  the  Germans  had  broken  up 
the  Alsacian  regiments  and  scattered  the  men  among  the  Prus- 
sian and  Bavarian  regiments,  where  they  had  been  treated  like 
dogs. 

When  the  prisoners  arrived  they  were  counted  as  they  en- 
tered the  gate.  We  receipted  only  for  those  delivered  to  us. 
Then  the  intelligence  officers  arranged  them  by  organizations 
and  checked  the  count,  and  then  they  were  distributed  to  the 
pens.  Afterward,  the  intelligence  section  registered  each  pris- 
oner, and  examined  those  from  whom  they  expected  to  gain 
some  information.  Those  that  had  been  registered  were  kept 
separate  from  those  who  had  not,  for  evacuation  to  the  rear. 
The  officers  were  kept  separate  from  the  men,  and  the  only  dis- 
tinction they  received  was  a  more  closely  guarded  pen,  a  roof 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    IXF.  51 

over  their  heads,  and  cooked  food.  Those  prisoners  requiring 
medical  attention  were  marched  to  the  infirmary  tent,  where 
they  were  attended  by  their  own  surgeons  and  corps  men.  The 
German  medical  officers  were  far  superior  in  personality  to  the 
other  officer  prisoners,  and  they  did  good  work  for  both  their 
sick  and  ours.  Bill  Miller  was  in  charge  of  the  prisoner  medical 
detachment  and  infirmary  and  did  excellent  work. 

Rations  were  obtained  from  the  railhead  at  Sorcy,  and 
usually  brought  down  to  Pagny  by  train.  The  cars  were  loaded 
by  prisoners  taken  up  to  Sorcy  for  that  purpose.  The  prepara- 
tion and  serving  of  rations  was  done  by  guarded  details  of  pris- 
oners. The  unloading  of  the  ration  cars  was  a  task  much  sought 
after  by  the  prisoners.  When  at  that  work  they  filled  the  huge 
tail  pockets  of  their  tunics  with  the  broken  pieces  of  bread  that 
were  left  in  the  cars.  Medical  supplies  were  obtained  where  we 
could  get  them.  Captain  Graupner  visited  base  hospitals  at 
Toul  and  Xeufchateau  and  procured  some  medicines  and  medi- 
cal supplies.  He  also  obtained  a  lot  of  captured  German  sup- 
plies from  the  salvage  dump  at  Sorcy.  With  the  rations  came 
certain  articles  that  could  not  be  served  to  the  prisoners,  prin- 
cipally jam  and  tobacco.  The  men  of  the  company,  consequently, 
had  their  fill  of  jams  of  every  variety,  and  Sergeant  Works  was 
blissfully  happy  in  his  opportunity  to  keep  that  long  body  of  his 
filled  with  "confiture."  G.  H.  Q.  General  Order  Xo.  106  directed 
that  our  prisoners  of  war  should  be  rationed  the  same  as  our 
own  men.  This  order  was  based  on  the  terms  of  the  treaty  of 
1799  between  the  Kingdom  of  Prussia  and  the  United  States,  and 
stated  that  the  United  States  would  recognize  that  treaty  not 
only  in  rationing  Prussians,  but  for  all  other  German  prisoners. 
This  general  order  had  been  translated  into  German,  printed  and 
scattered  over  the  Boche  lines  by  our  aeroplanes.  On  the  back 
of  the  German  translation  was  printed  a  list  of  the  items  making 
up  the  American  army  ration.  Nearly  every  German  prisoner 
wras  found  to  have  one  of  these  orders  in  his  pocket.  They  were 
evidently  very  skeptical,  for  one  day  Captain  Graupner  found 
the  German  X.  C.  O.  who  was  in  charge  of  the  prisoner  ration 
detail,  checking  up.  His  detail  was  following  him  with  rapt 
attention.  He  would  read  the  name  of  an  article  from  the  list 
and  then  look  among  the  piles  of  rations  to  find  it.  Gradually 
he  checked  the  list  with  the  rations  stored  in  the  ware  room, 
and  then  he  announced  "They  are  all  here."  Fritzie  had  a  doubt 
about  it  being  true. 

While  at  Pagny  many  new  things  were  "collected"  for  the 
company.  First  came  a  rolling  kitchen  and  a  water  cart, 
honswoggled  out  of  the  Q.M.  at  Sorcy.  Then  an  entire  replace- 
ment of  clothing,  with  overseas  caps,  was  obtained  by  a  requisi- 
tion .on  the  chief  of  supply  of  the  1st  Army.  Then  a  Quad  truck 
was  found  by  the  wayside,  and  repaired  at  the  machine  shop  of 
the  cement  plant  near  Pagny.  Then  a  perfectly  good  motor- 
cycle walked  into  the  prison  cage.  The  motor  truck  was  useful 
in  running  up  to  Sorcy  for  supplies,  was  a  God-send  for  carrying 
jam  and  tobacco  with  us  when  the  company  left  Pagny,  was  a 


52  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


white  elephant  to  the  company  and  the  Colonel,  when  the  regi- 
ment came  out  of  the  line,  and  a  blessing  to  the  wounded  offi- 
cers, whose  baggage  it  saved  by  carrying  it  to  Paris.  At  Paris 
the  truck  was  turned  into  the  motor  park  and  a  receipt  was 
taken  for  it,  so  all  responsibility  ended.  The  motorcycle  was  a 
blessing  in  one  respect — it  brought  us  mail,  when  Redmond 
rode  up  to  the  regiment.  But  otherwise  the  motorcycle  was  a 
nuisance — someone  was  always  hunting  for  it,  and  a  half  a 
dozen  men  of  the  medical  corps  came  to  Pagny  to  find  it.  Finally, 
by  not  following  instructions  and  placing  it  on  the  truck  when 
the  company  left  Pagny,  Redmond  was  caught  with  the  goods 
and  had  to  surrender  it.  As  it  was,  it  was  better  than  fifty-fifty; 
we  lost  the  motorcycle  after  we  had  some  good  use  out  of  it,  but 
kept  the  truck,  the  rolling  kitchen  and  the  water  cart. 

Aviators  caused  a  great  deal  of  interest  to  the  prisoners  and 
the  men  at  the  prison  cage.  French  and  American  flyers  would 
soar  above  the  cage,  and  every  now  and  then  one  of  them  would 
dive  straight  for  the  enclosure,  causing  the  prisoners  to  scatter ; 
just  before  reaching  the  wire  the  aeroplane  would  flatten  its 
course  and  skim  over  the  heads  of  the  prisoners.  Boche  planes 
also  worried  the  prisoners.  At  night,  when  they  were  sitting 
around  their  fires,  they  would  hear  the  interrupted  hum  of  a 
German  motor.  Then  they  would  kick  out  the  fires  and  stamp 
out  the  coals,  determined  that,  if  possible,  they  would  not  be 
bombed  by  their  own  people.  These  Boche  planes  were  bound, 
almost  every  night,  for  Sorcy,  where  they  attempted  to  get  the 
railhead  warehouses  and  the  hospital.  They  succeeded  in  hit- 
ting the  hospital  one  night,  killing  two  men.  It  was  a  thrilling- 
sight  to  see  the  searchlights  trying  to  pick  out  the  aeroplane, 
and  to  see  the  wreaths  of  bursting  shells  from  our  anti-aircraft 
guns  as  the  searchlights  illuminated  them. 

The  prisoners  made  little  trouble  for  their  guards.  They 
were  too  glad  to  escape  the  dangers  of  war  to  attempt  an  escape 
from  the  prison  cage.  They  were  not  comfortable.  They  had 
no  shelter  and  no  blankets.  Due  to  the  determination  of  the 
"Frogs"  that  the  Boche  were  to  have  no  comforts,  the  cars  con- 
taining blankets  and  mess  kits  were  side-tracked  and  shifted 
around  so  that  they  did  not  arrive  until  nearly  all  of  the  prison- 
ers had  been  shipped  out.  At  night  the  prisoners  sat  around 
their  fires  and  sang  plaintive  songs  of  home,  or  stamped  around 
the  pens  trying  to  keep  warm.  Their  singing  was  well  worth 
hearing,  for  thousands  of  them  sang  in  unison  and  harmony. 
By  day  they  "read  their  shirts,"  slept  and  ate.  There  was  shel- 
ter only  for  the  working  details  and  the  sick.  These  prisoners 
carried  more  junk  on  their  persons  than  an  American  would 
burden  himself  with.  Their  pockets  were  filled  with  letters, 
picture  cards,  photographs,  leaflets,  circulars  and  books.  An 
American  soldier's  pockets  would  not  begin  to  hold  the  stuff 
that  a  German  carried  in  the  two  tail  pockets  of  his  tunic. 

Gathering  souvenirs  was  an  important  item.  All  of  the 
prisoners  had  articles  which  the  men  wanted  and  which  they 
were  perfectly  willing  to  trade  for  tobacco.  War  rings,  iron 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    IXF.  53 

ses,  articles  of  jewelry,  shoulder  straps,  belt  buckles  and 
photo  postals  were  the  main  articles  of  barter.  Private  John  A. 
Eilers  won  his  alias  of  "Souvenirs"  by  his  ability.  He  and  Pri- 
vate Edward  E.  Knoll  had  the  edge  on  the  rest  of  the  men  by 
their  ability  to  speak  German,  but  Eilers  was  more  successful 
than  Knoll.  However,  everyone  had  something  to  show  for 
his  time  spent  at  the  cage. 

On  September  16th  a  telegram  was  received  that  read  some- 
thing like  the  following:  Am  sending  Prisoner  of  War  Escort 
Companies  21  and  22.  They  are  somewhat  sunburned  but  will 
serve."  The  latter  sentence  was  somewhat  uncertain  in  mean- 
ing, until  two  companies  of  negroes  arrived  that  afternoon.  Those 
negroes  had  never  been  drilled  or  trained,  and  were  thoroughly 
scared  when  they  discovered  that  they  had  to  take  two  thousand 
prisoners  back  to  St.  Pierre  de  Corps.  With  their  arrival  the 
evacuation  of  the  cage  began.  Most  of  the  men  will  remember 
the  big  negro  called  "Rabbit"  who  was  writh  the  21st  Company. 
When  the  time  came  to  load  the  prisoners,  the  negroes  were 
shown  how  to  fix  bayonets  and  hold  their  rifles.  Rabbit  waited 
until  his  Lieutenant  had  passed  down  the  line  and  then  unfixed 
his  bayonet  and  stuck  it  in  his  legging.  Captain  Graupner  asked 
him  if  he  had  not  been  shown  how  to  fix  his  bayonet,  and  he  re- 
plied "Yaas  boss,  but  I  aint  got  no  use  for  any  knife  on  de  end 
ob  a  stick;  I  got  it  where  I  can  reach  it,  and  dere  aint  no  Boche 
gwine  to  get  away  from  me." 

Prisoners  were  sent  away  in  detachments  of  two  thousand 
at  a  time.  They  were  loaded  into  French  box  cars — forty-six  or 
forty-eight  men  in  a  car — and  were  given  rations  for  three  days. 
Between  September  16th  and  22nd  all  of  the  prisoners  of  war 
were  evacuated.  They  were  delivered  at  the  gates  of  the  cage 
to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  escort.  There  he  took  charge 
of  them  and  loaded  them  on  the  train.  The  second  Prisoner  of 
AVar  Escort  Companies  to  arrive  were  composed  of  white  men 
who  had  been  wounded  or  gassed  and  rated  as  Class  "C."  They 
came  in  the  middle  of  the  night  and  awakened  everyone  with 
their  ghastly  coughing.  They  were  seasoned  soldiers,  tho,  and 
handled  the  prisoners  with  dispatch  and  without  fear. 

There  were  two  unfortunate  incidents  at  Pagny.  One  was 
the  desertion  of  two  of  the  men.  Everyone  hated  to  feel  that 
any  one  in  the  company  was  yellow.  The  other  was  the  injury 
of' Privates  Edward  R.  Van  den  Berg,  Fred  K.  Haffner  and 
William  C.  Thompson  by  being  knocked  down  by  a  railroad  en- 
gine while  crossing  the  tracks  near  the  station.  They  were  re- 
moved to  the  base  hospital  at  Toul,  where  Van  den  Berg  died 
from  his  injuries. 

An  interesting  opportunity  to  observe  troops  on  the  move 
was  afforded  the  company  while  at  the  prison  cage.  Three  full 
Divisions  passed  the  camp  on  the  road  that  led  from  St.  Mihiel, 
while  three  others  came  back  on  the  railway  thru  Toul.  All 
were  being  transferred  to  the  Meuse-Argonne  front,  tho  we  did 
not  know  it  at  the  time.  There  we  saw  all  branches  of  the 
service  on  the  move ;  heavy  artillery  with  caterpiller  tractors, 


THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


field  artillery  with  jaded  horses,  signal  battalions,  motor  trans- 
port, and  doughboys  galore.  They  were  all  tired  and  night 
marching  did  not  make  them  happy. 

On  September  22nd  the  last  detachment  of  prisoners  was 
evacuated.  When  it  came  to  settling  accounts  the  number  of 
prisoners  received  balanced  with  the  number  shipped.  Pagny 
prison  cage  had  put  it  over  on  the  Ligny  cage,  where  the  cap- 
tain had  handled  less  than  three  thousand  and  was  forty-seven 
short  when  he  checked  up.  Pagny  had  handled  over  nine  thou- 
sand and,  at  one  time,  had  some  to  spare.  The  spare  ones  were 
the  prisoners  who  had  fallen  on  the  quai  or  along  the  road  from 
exhaustion  and  which  we  picked  up.  These,  pick-ups  were  not 
receipted  for  to  the  guards  who  delivered  the  prisoners  to  the 
cage,  and  were  not  entered  in  the  cage  records  until  we  checked 
our  count.  Ration  accounts  checked,  in  spite  of  the  jam  and  to- 
bacco that  had  been  used  and  was  taken  along  as  extra  supplies. 
Moral — good  bookkeeping  pays.  On  the  23rd  Captain  Graupner 
visited  Ligny  en  Barrois  and  settled  accounts  with  Major 
Smallwood  and  the  Chief  of  Staff.  He  also  made  arrangements 
to  have  the  company  relieved  and  sent  back  to  the  Division. 

The  next  day  camp  was  policed  and  the  custody  of  the  cage 
turned  over  to  the  C.O.  of  Prisoner  of  War  Escort  Company 
No.  24.  "E"  Company  had  completed  its  task  as  jailer,  and  its 
work  had  been  so  well  done  that  the  Chief  of  Staff  and  Provost 
Marshal  of  the  1st  Army  praised  it  highly.  It  was  hard  work 
for  every  man  to  do  guard  duty,  four  hours '  on  and  eight  off, 
for  ten  successive  days.  However,  the  men  did  their  work  well, 
played  up  to  the  responsibility,  and  backed  their  officers  to  the 
limit.  As  it  was  "E"  Company  had  the  advantage  of  every  other 
company  in  the  regiment.  We  had  no  long  night  hikes,  no  camp- 
ing in  the  rain  and  mud,  no  stay  in  the  Foret  de  Hesse  under 
shell  fire  and  gas  attacks.  Instead,  we  had  three  hot  meals  a 
day,  with  all  the  food  we  could  eat,  plenty  of  "shut-eye,"  shelter 
from  the  rain,  an  interesting  detail  of  duty,  and  a  ride  up  to  the 
front. 

At  11  a.  m.  on  September  25th  orders  to  move  arrived. 
Packs  were  rolled,  dinner  was  eaten,  rolling  kitchen,  water  cart 
and  men  loaded  into  French  camions,  and  at  3:15  p.  m.  the 
company  rode  out  of  Pagny  sur  Meuse,  accompanied  by  its  own 
motor  truck  and  motorcycle.  No  one  knew  where  we  were  go- 
ing. The  Captain  had  orders  to  report  to  the  headquarters  of 
the  91st  Division.  The  Lieutenant  in  charge  of  the  camion  train 
had  orders  to  take  us  to  Cote  290,  Foret  de  Hesse,  and  at  that 
time  he  did  not  know  where  the  place  was.  Before  leaving,  our 
old  motor  truck  was  loaded  with  jam,  tobacco  and  other  things 
to  eat — Works  and  Schwertfeger  had  to  have  their  sweets,  and 
some  had  to  be  left  for  the  other  men. 

Our  way  led  thru  Void,  Ligny  en  Barrois,  Bar  le  Due, 
Vavincourt,  Rembercourt,  Foucaucourt,  Froidois,  Clermont  en 
Argonne,  and  Aubreville  to  the  Foret  de  Hesse.  The  "Frog" 
drivers  were  tired  out,  sleepy  and  cross.  Cook  Ross  came  near 
to  preventing  our  arriving  in  time  for  the  war.  As  it  was,  he 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  55 

stopped  the  procession  for  some  time.  He  investigated  the  con- 
tents of  the  camion  driver's  canteen.  Froggie  was  "half  shot" 
and  tired,  so  he  stopped  the  truck  and  climbed  down  to  a  seat 
on  the  roadside,  declaring  that  he  would  not  move  until  Ross  was 
put  out  of  the  truck.  He  cried  and  he  swore,  declaring  Ross 
had  drunk  more  than  half  his  wine.  This  time  Ross  had  a  pretty 
good  alibi,  which  went  with  everybody  but  Froggie.  Finally, 
after  much  argument  and  a  delay  of  half  an  hour,  the  dis- 
gruntled driver  climbed  onto  his  seat  and  started  on.  Toward 
ten  o'clock,  the  truck  with  the  rolling  kitchen  went  into  the  ditch. 
Then  we  sidetracked  for  most  of  the  night  to  give  the  French- 
man a  chance  to  get  the  truck  and  kitchen  onto  the  road  again. 
This  gave  the  men  a  chance  for  some  rest;  the  last  they  were  to 
get  for  several  nights,  tho  they  did  not  know  it  then.  Some 
of  them  slept  in  the  camions,  some  set  up  pup  tents  along  the 
side  of  the  road,  and  a  few  stole  away  and  slept  in  the  hay  of  a 
nearby  stable  loft,  which  Tille  discovered.  Shortly  after  the 
trucks  stopped,  or  about  11:30  p.  m.,  the  booming  of  the  big  guns 
began,  and  about  2  :30  a.  m.  it  seemed  as  tho  all  hell  had  been 
loosened.  The  roar  of  the  artillery  was  terrific  and  continuous. 
The  horizon  was  illuminated  by  the  flash  of  the  guns  and  the 
bursting  of  star  shells  and  flares.  The  lower  edge  of  the  sky 
was  lit  by  a  quivering  light — the  flickering  flame  of  the  cannons' 
flash.  Before  daybreak  the  rolling  kitchen  and  its  truck  were 
back  on  the  road  and  the  "Frog  Special"  was  off  for  the  front. 
Everyone  was  in  high  spirits  and  anxious  to  be  in  the  show. 


XV.  INTO  THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  MEUSE-ARGONNE. 

"Gid-dy   Gid-dap!  go   on!  go   on! 

"We're  on  our  way  to  war! — 
"We're  gain'  to  tell  'em  to  go  to — Well! 

"That's  ^^.'llat  zi'e're  fighting  for! — 
"We  didn't  -Li-ant  to  do  it,  Boys, 

"But  no-u,  they've  made  us  sore; — 
"Gid-dy  Gid-dap!  go  on!  go  on! 

"We're  on  our  way  to  war." 

(Giddy  Gidap!  Go  On!  Go  On!) 

The  front  of  the  battle  the  company  was  entering  extended 
from  the  Meuse  River  at  a  point  about  six  miles  north  of  Verdun, 
westerly  to  the  Aisne  River,  and  was  about  twenty  miles  in 
width.  Between  the  Aisne  and  the  Aire  Rivers  lay  the  Argonne 
Forest,  stretching  northerly.  To  the  east  of  the  Aire  lay  the 
Bois  de  Cheppy,  Bois  de  Very  and  Bois  de  Malancourt,  solidly 
covering  a  width  of  seven  kilometers  and  a  depth  of  five  kilo- 
meters. The  91st  Division  was  a  part  of  the  Fifth  Corps  of 
the  1st  Army.  Its  headquarters  were  in  dugouts  on  Cote  290 
in  the  Foret  de  Hesse.  The  Division  had  moved  into  the  Foret 
de  Hesse  on  the  night  of  September  19th,  and  the  troops  were 


56  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


bivouaced  among  the  trees  and  brush  of  the  forest  a  short  dis- 
tance behind  the  front  line  trenches.  The  opposing  lines  of 
trenches  lay  on  either  side  of  Buanthe  Creek — the  German  on 
the  north  and  the  French  on  the  south.  The  trenches  in  front 
of  the  concentrating  American  troops  were  held  by  the  French 
to  screen  the  mobilization  of  the  Americans. 

The  91st  Division  was  the  left  Division  of  the  Fifth  Corps. 
It  had  on  its  left  the  35th  Division,  composed  of  Missouri  and 
Kansas  National  Guards,  and  on  its  right  the  37th  Division,  com- 
posed of  Ohio  National  Guardsmen.  Its  front,  on  the  morning 
of  the  advance,  covered  approximately  three  kilometers,  from  La 
Hardonnerie  Farm  on  the  west  flank  easterly  to  a  point  about 
three  hundred  meters  west  of  La  Cour  Farm.  Its  line  of  advance 
lay  thru  the  Bois  de  Cheppy  and  the  Bois  de  Very.  The  182nd 
Brigade  had  the  left  of  the  Division.  As  darkness  fell  on  the 
evening  of  September  25th  the  troops  moved  forward  into  posi- 
tion for  the  attack,  which  was  to  take  place  at  5  :30  in  the  morn- 
ing. In  the  182nd  Brigade  the  363rd  Infantry  was  assigned  to 
the  front  line  for  the  attack,  with  the  364th  Infantry  as  support 
for  the  first  day. 

As  the  train  of  camions  transporting  "E"  Company  moved 
forward  the  roar  of  the  guns  increased  in  severity.  With  the 
first  light  of  dawn  we  could  see  the  huge  sausage  observation 
balloons  swaying  in  the  air  and  marking  the  rear  of  the  artillery 
on  both  sides.  As  the  day  grew  lighter  we  could  see  the  aero- 
planes— French,  American  and  German — jockeying  for  position 
and  advantage,  trying  to  get  information  for  one  side  and  at- 
tempting to  prevent  the  enemy  from  gaining  any  knowledge. 
We  passed  thru  the  shell  torn  village  of  Courcelles  and  Aubre- 
ville  and  found  ourselves  among  the  big  naval  guns  mounted 
on  railway  cars.  We  passed  battery  upon  battery  of  artillery  of 
every  calibre,  thundering  and  sending  their  shells  toward  the 
enemy.  The  train  entered  the  Foret  de  Hesse  and  came  to  a 
stop  about  9 :30  a.  m.  of  September  26th.  The  leading  truck 
was  in  front  of  a  narrow  pathway,  with  rustic  steps  leading 
no  the  hillside  thru  the  trees.  This  was  Cote  290,  and  an 
M.  P.  said  that  headquarters  of  the  91st  Division  were  at  the 
top  of  the  hill. 

Captain  Graupner  and  the  French  Lieutenant  in  command 
of  the  camion  train  made  their  way  up  the  steep  path.  Hardly 
had  they  gone  fifty  feet  up  the  trail  when  a  camouflaged  bat- 
tery on  the  side  of  the  way  fired  a  salvo.  The  Captain's  helmet 
went  off  from  the  blast  of  air  and  he  went  about  four  feet  in 
the  air  from  the  scare.  At  the  end  of  the  path  was  a  row  of  dug- 
outs, filled  with  officers  and  orderlies.  All  was  hustle  and  bus- 
tle, but  the  Captain  found  the  Chief  of  Staff,  Col.  Breeze,  and 
reported.  He  was  given  orders  to  park  baggage  and  proceed  at 
once  to  join  the  364th  Infantry.  At  that  time  the  Captain  in- 
formed Col.  Breeze  that  the  company  had  no  Very  pistols,  no 
signal  materials,  no  grenades,  and  no  tromblons  or  rifle  gren- 
ades, and  asked  for  the  supplies  and  a  signal  code.  He  was 
told  there  was  no  time  to  bother  with  such  things,  and  that, 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  57 

as  long  as  the  company  had, rifles  and  automatics  with  ammuni- 
nition,  they  were  well  enough  supplied.  It  was  with  some  diffi- 
culty that  the  Captain  secured  maps  and  directions  as  to  the 
probable  location  of  the  regiment.  Near  the  cross  roads  in  the 
Foret  de  Hesse,  known  as  Rendez-vous  de  Chasse,  the  camions 
came  to  a  halt.  The  company  was  detrained,  the  rolling  kitchen 
unloaded,  and  the  cooks  started  a  hot  meal,  which  was  to  be 
breakfast  and  dinner,  and  the  last  hot  meal  for  five  days.  Over- 
coats, shelter  halves  and  blankets  were  rolled  and  stacked,  can- 
teens were  filled,  and  two  bandoliers  of  ammunition  per  man 
were  issued.  Meanwhile  the  cooks  had  made  coffee  and  cooked 
a  mess  of  hot  beans,  so  that,  by  the  time  the  men  were  prepared, 
chow  was  ready.  Hot  coffee  and  a  good  meal  made  everyone 
feel  that  they  were  ready  to  go.  The  Supply  Sergeant  was 
left  in  charge  of  the  company  baggage  and  property,  with  the 
mess  Sergeant,  cooks  and  three  or  four  sick  men.  It  afterward 
proved  fortunate  that  a  good  sized  guard  had  been  left,  for 
several  attempts  were  made  to  loot  the  baggage. 

While  the  company  was  preparing  to  go  forward  they  wit- 
nessed a  daring  attack  by  a  Boche  aeroplane  on  our  observation 
balloons.  The  Boche  plane  swooped  down  from  above;  the  anti- 
aircraft guns  opened  on  him,  but  he  came  on,  swinging  to  a  hori- 
zontal position  just  above  one  of  the  sausages.  He  opened  with 
his  machine  guns  and  got  the  first  balloon ;  its  two  observers 
making  a  clean  jump  with  their  parachutes  and  both  landed 
safely.  The  plane  circled  and  swung  on  to  another  sausage  with 
his  gun.  The  observers  jumped,  but  one  of  them  did  not  clear 
and  was  caught  by  the  flaming  gas  bag  and  fell  to  earth  a  charred 
mass  of  flesh.  The  Hun  tried  to  make  his  escape.  He  success- 
fully evaded  the  anti-aircraft  shells,  but  was  caught  by  an 
American  plane  coming  down  on  him  from  above  and  sent  to 
earth.  It  was  a  wonderful,  horrible  sight  to  see.  All  were  glad 
to  see  the  German  plane  brought  down,  but  all  admired  the  avia- 
tor's daring. 

By  one  o'clock  the  company  was  formed  in  the  road. 
"Squads  right !"  and  we  were  off  for  the  front  to  find  the  regi- 
ment and  do  our  part  in  the  biggest  battle  in  which  American 
troops  had  ever  participated.  There  was  no  shelling  in  the  rear 
areas  at  that  time,  tho  our  artillery  was  firing  steadily,  so  the 
company  could  go  rapidly  forward  in  column  without  danger. 
The  line  of  march  thru  the  Foret  de  Hesse  lay  northward  along 
Aubreville-Avocourt  road.  On  both  sides  of  the  road,  as  we 
proceeded  forward,  were  concealed  and  camouflaged  batteries. 
Here  and  there  we  passed  batches  of  prisoners  being  marched 
to  the  rear.  After  marching  two  kilometers  the  column  de- 
bouched into  the  open  ground  of  "no  man's  land"  in  the  ravine 
of  Buanthe  Creek.  We  followed  the  road  westward  toward 
Yarennes  to  a  point  about  five  hundred  meters  west  of  Pont  des 
4  Enfants,  there  we  turned  north  and  crossed  "no  man's  land." 
Then  we  had  a  chance  to  see  the  damage  done  by  the  heavy 
artillery  fire  we  had  heard  the  night  before.  The  wire  in  front 
of  the  German  trenches  was  not  badly  torn,  but  the  trenches 


58  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


behind  had  been  destroyed  beyond  recognition.  Shell  crater 
overlapped  shell  crater,  there  was  not  a  square  foot  of  ground 
that  had  not  been  ploughed  and  torn  up  by  shell  explosion.  We 
saw  reinforced  concrete  pill  boxes  and  machine  gun  emplace- 
ments shattered  and  absolutely  upturned  from  their  founda- 
tions. 

After  crossing  Buanthe  Creek  and  passing  thru  the  German 
wire  we  picked  up  the  telephone  wire  connecting  the  181st 
Brigade  P.  C.  with  Division  Headquarters.  We  followed  the 
wire  thru  the  shell  torn  area,  up  the  slope  into  the  Bois  de 
Cheppy.  For  a  while  it  was  a  wild  and  tiring  scramble,  out  of 
one  shell  hole  into  another — sliding,  slipping  and  creeping,  but 
keeping  the  telephone  wire  always  in  sight.  After  getting  into 
the  Bois  de  Cheppy,  the  way  followed  along  a  trail  which  led 
due  north.  After  following  the  trail  for  a  kilometer  we  came  to 
a  road  where  we  found  the  P.  C.  of  the  181st  Brigade,  that  had 
been  moved  forward  about  an  hour  before.  A  lieutenant  in 
charge  of  the  phone  attempted  to  tell  us  where  the  regiment 
was.  This  road  led  northwest  thru  the  woods  to  Cheppy,  and 
the  company  followed  it  thru  the  woods  for  two  kilometers,  in 
hope  of  getting  into  the  sector  of  the  182nd  Brigade  and  finding 
the  regiment.  This  road  led  in  the  rear  of  the  Massoul  and 
Kant  lines  of  German  trenches  and  crossed  the  hostile  interme- 
diate line  of  trenches,  known  as  the  Hagen  Stellung.  On  the 
left  of  the  road,  in  Beaussogne  ravine,  alongside  of  the  narrow- 
guage  railway,  we  found  some  of  the  wounded  of  "F"  Com- 
pany. The  poor  fellows  felt  they  had  been  deserted,  for  the 
first  aid  station  had  moved  forward  and  no  ambulances  or  litter- 
bearers  had  come  to  carry  them  to  the  rear. 

As  the  company  approached  the  edge  of  the  woods  it  halted 
for  a  rest  and  a  bite  to  eat.  German  artillery  was  shelling  the 
road  to  Cheppy  and  searching  the  ground  to  the  southwest  in  an 
attempt  to  locate  a  battery.  On  the  side  of  the  sunken  road 
that  ran  along  the  edge  of  the  wood  lay  the  body  of  Lieut. 
Lloyd  T.  Cochran  of  the  363rd  Infantry.  He  had  evidently  sur- 
prised a  machine  gun  nest  and  sold  his  life  dearly;  for  four  dead 
Germans  lay  beside  their  guns  in  front  of  him.  After  a  few  mo- 
ments' rest  we  started  on  our  way  again;  leaving  the  road  to 
avoid  shell  fire  and  following  the  narrow-guage  railway  north- 
ward past  La  Neuve  Grange  Farm.  This  led  us  safely  to 
Cheppy,  where  we  arrived  at  dusk ;  passing  several  dead  Boche 
on  the  way,  which  showed  us  how  the  fight  had  passed  on.  Thus 
far  the  directions  received  by  Captain  Graupner  had  proven 
wrong.  At  the  181st  Brigade  P.  C.  in  Bois  de  Cheppy,  the  Lieu- 
tenant in  charge  of  the  telephone  had  told  him  that  the  182nd 
Brigade  was  more  than  a  kilometer  to  the  left;  just  before  leav- 
ing Cheppy  woods,  the  laiason  officer  of  the  181st  Brigade  re- 
ported that  our  brigade  had  swung  still  further  to  the  left.  When 
we  reached  the  village  of  Cheppy  it  was  found  that  we  were  far 
to  the  left  of  the  91st  Division  and  were  in  -the  area  of  the  35th 
Division. 

At   Cheppy   the   men   refilled   their   canteens   at   the   spring, 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    IXF. 59 

while  the  Captain  sought  information  of  the  whereabouts  of  the 
regiment.  He  visited  dugout  after  dugout  in  an  endeavor  to 
obtain  information,  and  finally  found  a  signal  officer  who  told 
him  that  the  182nd  Brigade  P.  C.  was  at  Very.  The  village 
of  Cheppy  lies  in  the  fork  of  a  ravine,  and  its  houses  straggle 
along  the  bottom  of  the  ravine  and  its  intersections.  The  south- 
ern slopes  of  these  ravines  were  lined  writh  German  dugouts ; 
some  of  them  very  pretentious,  with  windowed  and  porticoed 
fronts.  Several  of  these  dugouts  were  filled  with  wrounded  men 
of  the  35th  Division,  which  showed  that  the  fight  had  been  hot 
on  their  front.  From  Cheppy  the  road  ran  northeast  two  kilo- 
meters to  Very;  this  we  followed  until  we  reached  the  intersec- 
tion of  the  Cheppy- Very  and  Montfaucon-Very  roads  about 
9:30  p.  m.  There  we  were  warned  that  those  cross  roads  were 
being  shelled  intermittently.  The  company  was  marched  up  the 
hill  above  the  village  and  allowed  to  fall  out  in  the  ditch  along 
side  of  the  road,  where  it  remained  most  of  the  night,  after  a 
march  of  fourteen  kilometers. 

Captain  Graupner,  writh  one  of  the  men,  went  down  into 
Very,  but  could  find  no  trace  of  brigade  or  regimental,  or  any 
P.  C.  On  they  went  across  the  bridge  and  up  the  slope  on  the 
other  side,  scouting  thru  the  dugouts  and  scouring  the  slope  and 
crest  of  the  north  side  of  the  ravine.  They  succeeded  in  finding 
many  men  and  organizations,  but  no  364th  Infantry.  They  then 
returned  to  the  company.  Headquarters  of  the  91st  Division 
had  been  established  just  beyond  wrhere  the  company  had  fallen 
out,  at  the  intersection  of  the  Avocourt-Very  and  Montfaucon- 
Very  roads,  and  there  nothing  was  known  of  the  whereabouts 
of  the  regiment. 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  Captain  again  started 
in  search  of  the  regiment,  with  Private  1st  Class  Jesse  L.  Foster 
as  the  runner.  Before  leaving  orders  were  given  to  Lieut. 
Johnson  to  move  the  company  thru  Very  and  across  the  ravine 
before  dawn.  Just  before  dawn  the  Captain  learned  the  location 
of  the  regimental  P.  C.  and  sent  Foster  back  to  guide  the  com- 
pany. The  company  was  marched  up  the  plank  road  in  the  Rav- 
ine de  Baronvaux  and  the  Captain  reported  to  Col.  Weeks. 
Orders  were  given  for  the  company  to  march  up  the  ravine  to 
the  northwest  about  a  kilometer  and  await  orders.  The  Captain 
then  reported  back  to  Col.  Weeks  and  was  informed  that  the 
364th  Infantry  was  to  attack  that  morning  on  the  right  of  the 
182nd  Brigade ;  that  the  second  battalion  wras  to  make  the  as- 
sault, and  that  "E"  Company  was  to  be  the  right  of  the  line. 


60  THE    "WAR   BOOK" 


XVI.     FIGHTING    OUR    WAY    INTO    ECLISFONTAINE. 

"Keep  your  head  down,  Fritzie  boy, 

"Keep  your  head  down,  Fritzie  boy, 

"Last  night  in  the  pale  moonlight, 

"I  saw  you,  I  saw  you. 

"You  were  mending  your  barbed  wire, 

"When  we  opened  rapid  fire; 

"If  you  want  to  see  your  vater  in  your  vaterland 

"Keep  your  head  down,  Fritzie  boy. 

(Keep   Your  Head  Down,  Fritzie  Boy.) 

About  7  :30  a.  m.  on  September  27th  orders  arrived  to  form 
for  the  attack.  Shortly  after  this  Col.  Weeks  was  relieved  and 
Lieut.-Col.  John  J.  Mudgett  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the 
regiment.  Brigadier  General  Foltz  had  been  relieved  of  com- 
mand of  the  182nd  Brigade  the  morning  before  and  Col.  Henry 
C.  Jewett  of  the  316th  Engineers  had  succeeded  him.  After  re- 
ceiving orders  the  company  moved  up  above  the  plank  road  on 
the  north  slope  of  the  Ravine  de  Baronvaux  and  there  deployed. 
Two  platoons,  the  first  and  second,  were  in  the  front  line  de- 
ployed in  two  waves  with  ten-pace  intervals,  and  fifteen-pace 
distance  between  waves.  The  second  echelon  of  the  company 
consisted  of  the  other  two  platoons,  deployed  in  line  of  sections. 
The  first  echelon  lay  immediately  under  the  crest  of  *~he  slope, 
while  the  second  was  two  hundred  paces  in  the  rear,  behind  a 
hedge-like  row  of  wild  cherry  trees.  After  being  deployed  the 
company  lay  in  position  awaiting  orders  to  "jump  off.''  The 
men  laughed  and  joked  among  themselves,  and,  to  look  at  them, 
none  would  have  thought  that  they  were  soon  to  face  death.  On 
our  left  was  "F"  Company,  with  "C"  on  its  left.  "H"  Company 
was  with  the  1st  Battalion  in  support.  Two  platoons  of  "G" 
Company,  under  Lieut.  Sam  A.  Roberts,  were  in  combat  laiason 
on  the  right  of  "E"  and  between  us  and  the  181st  Brigade,  and 
the  other  two  platoons  were  Battalion  support. 

While  we  were  awaiting  orders  to  go  over,  Major  Gregory 
came  up.  He  was  glad  to  see  the  company  and  the  men  of  the 
company  were  all  glad  to  see  him.  He  brought  the  information 
that  the  barrage  was  to  start  at  9  a.  m.  and  orders  that  the  com- 
pany was  to  go  over  and  follow  the  barrage.  He  also  brought 
the  news  that  Lieut.  Millan  had  returned  to  the  regiment  from 
England,  and  that  Lieut.  Bruce  and  Corporal  Wells  had  rejoined 
from  Gondrecourt.  Lieut.  Millan  was  to  stay  with  Battalion 
headquarters,  but  Lieut.  Bruce  was  to  rejoin  the  company.  Capt. 
Graupner  pleaded  to  have  both  of  them  returned,  but  the  Major 
was  obdurate.  Lieut.  Bruce  joined  just  as  we  were  getting  un- 
der way,  and  it  was  good  to  have  him  with  us  again. 

At  nine  o'clock  the  so-called  barrage  started.  On  our  right 
the  shells  fell  short  and  into  the  ranks  of  the  men  of  the  181st 
Brigade  as  they  were  forming  in  the  Ravine  de  Baronveaux, 
causing  some  confusion  and  casualties.  On  our  front  the  bar- 
rage was  too  light  to  be  of  any  assistance,  but  it  was  the  signal 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    IXF.  •  61 

to  "jump  off"  and  over  we  went.     Just  as  we  topped  the  crest 
Private  James  Mclntyre  was  wounded  by  a  bullet. 

Then  it  was  that  the  training  in  taking  cover  and  advancing 
by  filtration,  hammered  on  at  Longchamps,  proved  its  value.  As 
the  men  appeared  over  the  crest  of  the  ravine  they  were  greeted 
with  a  hail  of  bullets  from  machine  guns  and  rifles.  They  took 
cover  without  confusion,  and,  as  soon  as  they  had  located  them- 
selves and  the  enemy,  began  to  work  forward.  The  discipline 
of  training  and  maneuvers  had  become  instinctive.  After  the 
company  had  gone  over  the  crest  the  men  had  an  opportunity 
to  see  what  lay  before  them.  Directly  beyond  the  crest,  running 
parallel  to  the  company  front  was  the  Very-Epinonville  road, 
sunken  in  some  places  by  long  usage  twelve  or  fifteen  inches 
below  the  surface  of  the  ground  and  affording  good  protection 
from  observation  and  machine  gun  fire.  Beyond  it  was  a  row  of 
old  gun  pits  that  had  evidently  been  used  in  1915  when  the  Ger- 
mans drove  the  French  back  thru  that  territory.  Beyond  the 
gun  pits,  on  the  downward  slope  of  the  hill,  was  a  broad  and 
low  belt  of  barbed  wire  entanglements.  From  there  the  terrain 
sloped  downward  toward  the  north,  with  the  village  of 
Eclisfortaine  at  the  foot  of  the  slope.  A  kilometer  to  the  right, 
and  commanding  both  our  position  and  Eclisfontaine,  was  the 
village  of  Epinonville.  To  the  left  and  west  of  Eclisfontaine  the 
ground  again  sloped  upward  to  Les  Bouleaux  Bois ;  to  the  left 
of  the  woods  it  sloped  down  to  Serieux  Farm.  Along  the  line, 
Epinonville-Eclisfontaine-Les  Bouleaux  Bois-Serieux  Farm,  was 
the  German  second  position,  known  as  the  Volker  Stellung.  It 
was  very  strongly  held  by  the  First  Guard  Regiment  and  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fifty-seventh  Regiment,  all  Prussians,  and  behind 
them,  in  reserve,  was  a  portion  of  the  Fifth  Guard  Division.  The 
belts  of  wire  entanglements  were  enfiladed  by  machine  guns.  A 
German  battery  was  in  the  woods  in  the  rear  of  Eclisfontaine, 
another  was  hidden  behind  the  buildings  of  Exmorieux  Farm ; 
there  was  another  behind  Epinonville  and  still  another  on  the 
north  edge  of  Les  Bouleaux  Bois.  All  were  firing  on  our  advanc- 
ing line. 

After  the  situation  became  evident  to  everyone  the  slow- 
advance  by  filtration  began.  The  men  soon  found  how  to  choose 
good  cover  and  take  advantage  of  dead  space.  Gradually  the 
men  crawled  up  to  the  entanglements  and  commenced  to  cut 
lanes  thru  the  wire.  All  the  while  machine  guns  played  over  our 
position  and  snipers  were  busy  trying  to  pick  off  individuals 
who  exposed  themselves.  The  snipers  made  it  pretty  warm  for 
the  skipper,  who  was  rather  conspicuous  with  his  big  white  stick. 
The  batteries  increased  their  fire  and  thoroughly  shelled  the 
area  over  which  the  company  was  spread.  Everything  was  done 
by  Jerry  to  make  it  a  perfect  day  for  us.  With  this  concentra- 
tion of  fire  it  was  impossible  for  us  to  advance.  There  was  noth- 
ing to  do  but  lie  doggo  in  the  sunken  road,  shell  holes  and  gun 
pits  until  the  fire  of  the  machine  guns  abated.  Our  one-pound- 
ers were  brought  up  and  vigorously  shelled  Eclisfontaine.  Those 
snappy  little  guns  began  to  tear  holes  in  the  roofs  and  walls  of 


62  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


the  buildings  in  the  village,  and  the  machine  gunners  and  snip- 
ers began  to  hunt  cover.  However,  our  rifles  and  "sho-shoos" 
were  not  idle  when  there  was  a  target  in  sight.  An  automatic 
section  sent  to  the  right,  assisted  by  the  two  platoons  of  "G" 
Company  in  combat  laiason,  cleared  the  sunken  road  that  ran 
south  from  Eclisfontaine  to  the  Epinonville-Very  road  of  ma- 
chine gun  nests.  With  the  consequent  decrease  in  machine  gun 
fire  the  company  worked  its  way  thru  the  wire  and  began  a 
more  rapid  advance  upon  the  village.  Then  we  began  to  have 
heavy  casualties. 

In  the  first  platoon  on  the  left  of  the  company,  Sergeant 
Frank  G.  Young  was  shot  thru  the  face  by  a  sniper  as  he  was 
going  down  the  hill  toward  Eclisfontaine.  Almost  at  the  same 
moment  Corporal  James  L.  Macdonald,  of  the  fourth  platoon, 
was  wounded  in  the  right  hand  by  a  shell  fragment.  Signalman 
Clinton  C.  Hendrix,  on  his  way  to  deliver  a  message,  was  so 
severely  wounded  by  a  sniper  that  he  soon  died.  On  the  center 
and  right  of  the  line  men  were  also  suffering.  Private  Herbert 
A.  Nelson  was  shot  thru  the  forehead  by  a  sniper  as  he  was 
charging  down  the  slope  toward  Eclisipntaine.  Private  Paul 
Andre  was  wounded  by  a  sniper  and  Corporal  Samuel  Goldfeder 
was  wounded  by  a  shell  fragment.  As-4he  left  flank  of  the  com- 
pany entered  the  orchard  to  the  west  of  Eclisfontaine  Corporal 
Angelo  Napoli  was  shot  thru  the  chest  by  a  rifle  bullet.  The 
bullet  key-holed  and  Napoli  felt  the  shock  of  the  bullet  passing 
thru  his  back  more  than  he  did  its  entry.  Consequently  he  felt 
for  some  time  that  he  had  been  shot  from  the  rear.  Privates 
Moisey  Mickowitz  and  George  Weisshand  were  wounded  about 
the  time  the  company  entered  the  village.  Private  William  E. 
Hipsley  received  a  sniper's  bullet  in  his  knee  just  before  the 
company  entered  the  woods  behind  the  village. 

Eclisfontaine  was  taken  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
It  was  a  long  and  hard  day's  work  to  capture  it.  The  Boche 
did  not  wait  for  the  company  to  sweep  into  the  village,  but 
took  to  their  heels.  A  few  were  captured  in  the  cellars  of  the 
shattered  village,  a  few  more  were  collected  as  they  went  out 
of  the  village  on  either  flank,  and  a  few  were  halted  in  the 
brush  in  the  rear  of  the  buildings.  However,  there  were  sufficient 
dead  in  the  village  to  prove  that  the  riflemen  of  "E"  Company 
and  the  one-pounders  had  taken  toll  from  the  enemy.  There 
we  found  a  huge  artillery  dump,  but  the  guns  were  gone.  There 
was  also  a  store  of  grenades  and  other  ordnance  supplies. 

No  halt  was  made  in  the  village,  other  than  that  necessary 
to  see  that  the  buildings  were  cleared.  Then  the  company 
swept  into  the  brush  and  woods  in  the  rear  and  the  orchard  to 
the  west.  "F"  Company  was  even  with  us  on  our  left  and  tack- 
ling Les  Bouleaux  Bois  (Bouleaux  Woods).  Thru  the  lanes  in 
the  woods  back  of  Eclisfontaine  the  men  went  cautiously,  but 
quickly.  Snipers  roosting  in  trees  were  brought  down  by  rifle 
and  pistol  shots,  and  a  machine  gun  nest  hidden  in  the  woods 
and  enfilading  the  orchard  was  cleaned  up  in  short  order.  On 
the  north  edge  of  the  woods  the  Boche  had  placed  machine 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  63 

guns  in  shell  craters.  As  Corporal  Mack  J.  Rubidoux  emerged 
from  the  brush  he  sighted  one  of  these  nests,  fired  and  wounded 
the  machine  gunner.  The  gunner  fired  one  shot,  which  killed 
Rubidoux,  and  then  fled  to  another  nearby  crater,  where  he  was 
pistolled  by  Lieut.  Bruce.  Another  gunner  got  Private  Howard 
E.  Waller  and  was  pistolled  immediately  by  Capt.  Graupner. 

As  Lieut.  Bruce,  accompanied  by  Corporal  George  J. 
Arnold,  went  to  axamine  the  nest  of  the  gunner  who  had  shot 
Rubidoux,  a  sniper  opened  on  them  and  forced  them  to  take 
shelter  in  the  crater.  Captain  Graupner  heard  the  "ping"  of  a 
bullet  by  his  ear  and  saw  the  machine  gun  on  the  edge  of  the 
crater.  He  immediately  concluded  that  the  gun  had  been  fired 
on  him  and  opened  on  the  crater  with  his  pistol,  calling  on  some 
of  the  men  to  do  likewise  and  advance.  Things  were  getting 
hot  for  that  crater,  when  suddenly  an  American  helmet  was 
raised  on  the  muzzle  of  an  Enfield  rifle,  and  unmistakable  Amer- 
ican voices  called  out — "We're  Americans,  for  God's  sake  stop 
firing."  The  Captain  advanced  to  the  edge  of  the  hole  from 
one  side,  while  Lieut.  Deming  Bronson  of  "H"  Company,  who 
had  joined  us  during  the  morning,  advanced  from  the  other,  both 
with  pistols  in  hand  and  ready  to  shoot.  They  were  both  dumb- 
founded to  find  Lieut.  Bruce  and  Corporal  Arnold  hugging  dirt 
in  the  bottom  of  the  shell  hole.  They  did  not  stop  to  wonder 
long,  for  the  sniper  turned  loose  on  them  and  both  took  cover 
in  the  hole,  until  Arnold  dropped  the  Boche  from  his  perch  in  a 
tree  on  the  edge  of  the  wood.  It  was  a  hard  experience  for 
Lieut.  Bruce  and  Arnold,  but  it  would  have  been  a  harder  one 
for  the  captain  had  he  killed  two  of  his  own  men. 

After  the  company  had  emerged  from  the  woods  they 
formed  for  advance  on  Exmorieux  Farm,  where  a  considerable 
number  of  Germans  could  be  seen  in  the  brush  and  behind 
which  a  battery  of  77's  was  located.  Just  as  the  advance  began 
a  barrage  from  our  own  artillery  was  laid  down,  without  warn- 
ing, immediately  in  front  of  our  advancing  line.  Almost  simul- 
taneously the  battery  at  the  farm  house  opened  on  us  at  point 
blank  range,  aided  by  another  battery  and  machine  guns  from 
Les  Epinettes  Bois  on  our  right  flank.  There  was  no  cover,  we 
could  not  go  through  our  own  barrage,  to  remain  was  suicide, 
for  the  troops  on  our  right  and  left  had  not  kept  up  with  us ; 
there  was  nothing  left  to  do  but  withdraw  thru  the  woods  to 
Eclisfontaine.  As  we  withdrew  the  artillery  fire  increased.  A 
Boche  aeroplane  swung  back  and  forth  over  our  heads.  The 
woods  were  torn  and  turned  into  an  inferno  by  high  explosive 
shells.  Alternately  we  would  hide  in  the  brush  from  aeroplane 
observation,  and  then  drop  back.  Lieut.  Bronson  was  wounded 
in  the  arm  by  a  shell  fragment.  In  the  time  that  it  took  to  retire 
thru  the  woods  to  the  village,  Privates  Grover  T.  Porter,  John 
S.  Stump,  Ross  Moore,  Walter  Fleischauer  and  Roy  Weiden- 
bach  were  killed.  Privates  Herman  E.  Malchow  and  Ray 
Branson  were  so  severely  wounded  that  they  afterwards  died. 
Corporal  Roy  H.  Davis  and  Privates  Salvatore  Antonelli,  An- 
drew R.  DeAlbar,  Frank  D.  Montgomery,  Tom  P.  Gisler,  Floyd 


64  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


L.  Overman,  Michael  J.  Towey  and  William  H.  Bailey  were 
wounded.  These  fifteen  casualties  all  resulted  from  high  explo- 
sive shell  fire.  None  who  went  thru  it  will  ever  forget  th  hor- 
rors of  that  afternoon  in  the  woods. 

In  the  midst  of  every  tragedy  there  is  some  humor.  So  it 
was  in  the  woods  amid  the  shell  fire.  An  H.  E.  shell  exploded 
near  Private  Jones  R.  Douglas.  Private  Floyd  L.  Overman 
heard  the  shell  explode  and  heard  Douglas  indulging  in  loud  and 
impolite  language.  He  shouted  an  inquiry  to  Douglas  as  to 
where  he  was  hit.  Douglas  shouted  back :  "Hell,  I'm  not  hit,  but 

that  d shell  knocked  the  fire  off  my  cigarette  and  all  my 

matches  are  wet."  Those  who  did  not  see  battle  cannot  realize 
how  a  man  who  had  escaped  injury  could  worry  over  such  a 
small  item  as  having  his  cigarette  fire  knocked  out,  but  it  was 
the  small  things  that  worried  us  most. 

In  withdrawing  thru  the  woods,  Corporal  Robert  M.  Garn- 
ham,  with  Privates  Frank  Arnold,  Cornelius  J.  Gallagher  and 
John  A.  Eilers  swung  to  the  right  and  east,  and  found  them- 
selves among  the  361st  Infantry.  They  attached  themselves  to 
"K"  Company  of  that  regiment.  Gallagher  was  wounded  in 
the  side  by  a  bullet  shortly  after,  but  the  other  three  remained 
with  the  361st  until  September  30th,  when  they  located  "E" 
Company  and  rejoined. 

At  Eclisfontaine  we  found  that  "F"  and  "C"  Companies 
had  also  drawn  back — Les  Bouleaux  Bois  and  Serieux  Farm 
having  been  too  much  for  them.  Orders  to  establish  outposts 
and  "dig  in"  for  the  night  were  received.  The  men  were 
tired,  thirsty  and  hungry,  but  in  the  dusk  they  started  their  fox 
holes ;  expecting  to  get  some  rest  during  the  night.  Hardly  had 
the  holes  been  commenced  when  news  came  that  our  artillery 
in  the  far  rear  was  to  lay  a  barrage  along  the  Eclisfontaine- 
Varennes  road  during  the  night.  So  orders  were  given  to  with- 
draw half  a  kilometer.  We  therefore  had  to  leave  the  village 
we  had  taken  and  the  fox  holes  we  had  dug.  A  new  line  was 
taken  upon  the  hills  to  the  south  and  new  holes  were  dug  for 
shelter  during  the  night.  Outposts,  however,  held  the  old  line, 
ready  to  withdraw  if  necessary  to  avoid  the  barrage.  That  night 
was  cold,  but  fortunately  it  was  dry. 

When  orders  came  to  withdraw  we  determined  that  we 
would  not  leave  our  wounded  and  dead  in  the  woods  to  be  torn 
by  shell  fire  or  fall  into  German  hands.  Lieut.  Bruce  called  the  ser- 
geants together  and  called  for  volunteers  for  the  task.  Tho  dog 
tired,  every  sergeant  present  volunteered  to  lead  the  detail.  Four 
men  from  each  platoon  were  called  for  and  every  man  within  hear- 
ing of  the  call  offered  to  go.  Sergeant  La  Monte  led  the  detail. 
According  to  information,  there  was  only  half  an  hour  in  which 
to  do  the  work  before  the  barrage  fell.  Groping  thru  the  dense 
darkness  of  the  woods  this  rescue  detail  stumbled  back  and 
forth  among  the  brush  and  trees  searching  for  the  bodies  of  their 
wounded  and  dead  comrades.  It  was  dangerous  work,  for  at 
any  moment  the  barrage  might  fall  or  Boche  patrols  attack.  It 
was  difficult  work,  for  the  woods  were  denselv  black  and  no 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    IXF.  65 

light  cculd  be  used;  nor  could  the  searchers  call  aloud,  for  fear 
of  attracting  the  Germans.  But  working  swiftly,  tirelessly  and 
quietly  they  succeeded  in  thoroly  combing  the  woods  and  get- 
ting the  wounded  back  to  the  first  aid  station.  Such  of  the 
dead  as  could  be  found  were  carried  into  Eclisfontaine,  where 
they  were  afterwards  buried  in  the  old  German  cemetery. 

Eclisfontaine  was  but  a  small  scattered  village,  located 
about  a  kilomete:  and  a  half  west  of  Epinonville.  It  took  its 
name,  in  v-vars  long  past,  from  a  church  (Eglise)  which  had  in 
its  crypt  a  gushing  spring  of  water.  Nothing  of  the  old  church 
wa<  left  but  the  stone-arched  crypt,  and  that  was  covered  by 
earth  and  debris.  The  fountain  there  furnished  us  good  water 
to  fill  our  canteens.  The  crypt  provided  good  cover  for  the  first 
aid  station  which  was  set  up  on  the  28th  of  September  and  re- 
mained until  the  regiment  withdrew  from  the  battle  line. 
"E"  Company  paid  its  toll  to  take  Eclisfontaine.  Eleven  killed 
and  eighteen  wounded  was  the  price  we  paid,  but  the  Boche 
'^•aid  more  heavily,  and  Jerry  never  got  into  the  village  again. 
The  end  of  the  first  day  of  actual  battle  for  the  company  proved 
that  its  men  were  not  afraid  to  fight  or  die;  that  they  possessed 
the  courage  to  advance;  that  their  training  had  not  been  time 
wasted,  and  that  they  knew  how  to  rely  upon  themselves. 


XVII.     ON    TO    THE    BOIS    COMMUNAL    DE    BAULNY. 

"Pack  up  your  troubles  in  your  old  kit  bag, 

And  smile,  smile,  smile, 
While  you've  a  lucrfer  to  light  your  fag, 

Smile,  boys,  that's  the  style. 
IV hat's  the  use  of  worrying!' 

It  never  was  worth  while,  so 
Pack  up  your  troubles  in  your  old  kit  bag, 
And  smile,  smile,  smile." 

Dawn  of  September  28th  was  a  welcome  sight.  We  spent 
the  night  in  shallow  trenches,  fox  holes,  shell  craters  and  gun 
emplacements  on  the  hill  overlooking  Eclisfontaine.  The  night 
had  been  cold  and  raw,  and  every  one  was  chilled  to  the  marrow. 
Jerry  did  not  greet  us  with  a  morning  shower  of  shells  and  we 
were  able  to  make  our  way  down  to  the  hollow  below  and  form 
without  molestation  or  injury.  Corporal  Edwin  A.  Wells,  with 
a  detail  of  eleven  men,  ladened  with  canteens,  started  for  the 
fountain  in  the  village.  They  encountered  no  difficulty  in  reach- 
ing the  village  and  filling  the  canteens,  but  had  barely  reached 
the  flat  ground  south  of  the  buildings  on  their  way  back  when 
our  barrage  opened.  The  detail  was  caught  in  the  barrage,  but 
all  escaped  injury  excepting  Corporal  Wells,  whose  right  hand 
was  shattered  by  a  shell  fragment. 

Orders  for  the  day  arrived  early.  The  first  battalion,  was  to 
form  the  attacking  wave,  while  the  second  battalion  was  to  be 
in  support.  "E"  was  to  follow  "C"  Company  at  a  distance  of 


66  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


three  hundred  meters.  About  eight  o'clock  the  advance  began; 
"E"  following  "C"  as  ordered.  The  line  of  advance  lay  to  the 
west  of  that  of  the  day  before.  The  companies  passed  thru  the 
wire  in  the  shelter  of  the  ravine  and  took  up  deployed  formation, 
advancing  toward  the  northwest  and  to  the  west  of  Eclisfontaine. 
"C"  Company  entered  Les  Bouleaux  Bois  (Bouleaux  Woods) 
without  resistance,  but,  as  "E"  Company  went  up  the  slope  it 
was  met  by  enfilading  machine  gun  fire  from  the  left  and  en- 
countered the  Boche  barrage.  Private  Edward  E.  Knoll  was 
wounded,  Private  Frank  J.  Hagan  was  killed,  while  Corporal 
Charles  J.  Morris  was  both  wounded  and  gassed. 

The  woods  were  very  dense  and  had  a  heavy  growth  of 
underbrush.  It  was  difficult  to  force  a  way  thru  and  maintain 
laiason.  The  left  of  the  company,  with  Lieuts.  Bruce  and  John- 
son, held  to  the  left  and  kept  connection  with  the  left  of  "C." 
The  center,  with  Captain  Graupner,  drove  due  north  thru  the 
woods;  while  the  right  of  the  company  under  Lieut.  McCune 
inclined  to  the  right  and  entered  the  orchard  west  of  Eclisfon- 
taine. These  diversions  from  the  course  and  the  consequent 
division  of  the  company  were  the  necessary  result  of  the  dense 
growth  of  the  woods,  but  resulted  in  the  left  of  the  company 
going  on  in  full  laiason  with  "C"  and  the  center  coming  out  on 
the  open  plateau  overlooking  Exmorieux  Farm,  while  the  right 
of  the  company  was  held  up  in  the  orchard.  Private  William  H. 
Gilborne,  a  company  runner,  was  sent  by  Captain  Graupner  to 
locate  the  right  and  left  elements  of  the  company.  Gilborne 
swung  thru  the  woods  on  his  quest,  but  came  back  in  about  fif- 
teen minutes  to  report  no  success  on  the  left.  He  started  off 
to  the  right,  but  had  hardly  left  the  company  P.  C.  when  the 
Germans  began  to  comb  the  woods  with  shells,  and  Gilborne 
was  killed.  Some  of  the  shells  were  phosgene  shells  and  Cor- 
poral Fred  Heard  and  Private  Claude  M.  Ford  were  gassed. 

As  the  company  came  to  the  edge  of  the  woods  it  found 
the  small  plateau  occupied  by  "L"  Company,  reforming  to  go 
forward.  The  center  of  "E"  took  shelter  in  the  ditch  on  the 
edge  of  the  woods  until  "L"  went  forward.  "E"  then  moved 
out  from  the  woods  onto  the  plateau  ready  to  follow  up  when 
s-s-s-s-  bang!  Jerry's  artillery  opened  on  us.  There  was  no 
formality  about  'taking  cover  in  a  line  of  shallow  German 
trenches.  Report  was  sent  to  Major  Gregory  as  to  our  location, 
and  orders  came  back  for  us  to  hold  and  prepare  to  meet  a 
counter  attack,  which  appeared  imminent  from  the  German 
troops  massing  in  Les  Epinettes  Bois,  to  the  east  of  Exmorieux 
Farm.  While  the  center  held  this  position,  Lieuts.  Bruce  and 
Johnson  with  the  left  of  the  company  advanced  with  "C"  Com- 
pany and  were  out  of  contact.  Lieut.  McCune,  with  the  right 
section,  remained  in  the  Eclisfontaine  orchard  until  night  fell, 
when  they  were  ordered  to  round  up  stragglers. 

The  center  had  hardly  taken  cover  in  the  shallqw  trenches 
when  machine  guns  from  the  right  opened  up  and  ceaselessly 
cut  the  grass  over  our  heads.  The  battery  that  had  first  fired 
on  us  kept  a  continuous  rain  of  shells  falling  on  the  plateau. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    IXF.  67 

Fortunately  the  range  was  short  for  us  and  Jerry  had  no  aero- 
planes at  work  on  our  line  to  correct  the  fire,  otherwise  the 
center  of  the  company  would  have  been  annihilated.  As  it  was, 
most  of  the  men  had  the  mess  kits  on  their  backs  ripped  to  pieces 
by  machine  gun  bullets ;  the  trenches  being  so  shallow  that  their 
packs  protruded  over  the  surface  of  the  low  parapet.  The  shell 
fire  wiped  out  a  machine  gun  platoon  that  attempted  to  cross 
the  plateau  during  an  apparent  lull  in  the  firing.  The  two  hours 
spent  in  those  shallow  trenches  were  filled  with  horrors.  The 
shelling  was  constant  and  everyone  prayed  that  the  range  be 
not  increased.  Had  the  guns  raised  their  range  ten  meters  we 
would  have  been  forced  out  with  terrific  loss  of  life.  We  saw 
men  of  other  units  torn  to  fragments  and  their  blood  and  shat- 
tered remains  were  scattered  over  the  men  lying  in  the  trenches. 
During  a  lull  in  the  firing  Captain  Graupner  made  his  way  to 
the  battalion  P.  C,  which  was  located  with  the  regimental  P.  C. 
on  the  crest  of  the  EclisfontainerTronsol  Farm  road.  There  the 
Captain  explained  the  position  of  the  company  and,  as  the 
threatened  counter  attack  appeared  to  have  been  broken  up  by 
our  machine  gunners  he  received  orders  to  advance  and  resume 
position  in  the  rear  of  "C"  Company. 

The  center  of  the  company  was  drawn  back  to  the  edge  of 
the  woods  from  which  it  had  emerged  a  couple  of  hours  before, 
and  there  the  men  dug  in.  After  "C"  Company  was  located,  the 
center  section  swung  to  the  left  of  the  extension  of  Les  Bouleaux 
Bois,  sheltered  from  machine  gun  fire  from  Les  Epinettes  Bois, 
and  then  north  thru  the  woods,  across  the  Eclisfontaine-Exer- 
mont  road,  down  the  slope  into  the  brush  where  the  right  wing 
of  the  company  was  found  in  position  behind  "C"  Company. 
There  we  laid  for  an  hour  without  being  fired  on,  which  was  a 
restful  experience  after  our  earlier  trials.  "C"  Company,  which 
had  been  occupying  a  line  of  fox  holes  on  the  open  plain  facing 
the  Bois  Communal  de  Baulny,  again  advanced  and  we  fol- 
lowed. 

As  the  company  advanced  across  the  open  ground  it  met 
little  fire  until  it  reached  the  edge  of  the  ravine  south  of  the 
Bois  de  Baulny.  Then  machine  gun  fire  opened  from  the  Bois  de 
Cierges  on  the  right  flank,  and  a  barrage  was  laid  dowrn  along 
the  crest  of  the  ravine  directly  on  our  front.  It  was  a  question 
of  dropping  back  into  the  machine  gun  fire  or  going  thru  the 
barrage,  and  Captain  Graupner  chose  the  latter  alternative.  The 
passage  of  the  barrage  was  made  on  the  "double"  and  every  man 
got  thru  into  the  ravine.  There  we  joined  "C"  Company  on 
the  steep  northern  slope,  close  up  to  the  line  of  the  woods,  where 
we  were  sheltered  from  shell  and  machine  gun  fire. 

The  south  slope  of  the  ravine  was  lined  with  German  dug- 
outs and  buildings.  Corporal  George  J.  Arnold  led  a  mopping 
up  squad  down  this  line,  while  the  Germans  were  vigorously 
shelling  the  structures  to  prevent  our  using  them.  Captain 
Chase  of  "C"  Company  had  been  informed  that  the  Bois  de 
Baulny,  which  was  immediately  above  and  beyond  our  position, 
was  then  occupied  and  held  by  the  enemy.  Plans  for  outposts 


68  THE    "WAR   BOOK" 


were  being:  made,  when  Major  Richeson  of  the  1st  Battalion 
ordered  "C"  Company  to  go  forward  on  the  left  and  take  up  a 
position  near  Tronsol  Farm.  "E"  Company  posted  outguards, 
sent  flank  reconnaisance  patrols  to  the  right  and  left,  and  re- 
ported its  whereabouts  to  Major  Gregory. 

Orders  came  back  to  hold  our  position.  The  men  dug  fox 
holes  in  the  north  slope  of  the  ravine  close  up  to  the  hedge  which 
ran  along  the  side,  about  a  third  of  the  way  up  its  face.  Then, 
as  it  had  started  to  rain,  corrugated  iron,  boards  and  tar  paper 
were  torn  from  the  buildings  across  the  ravine  to  build  shelters 
over  the  holes.  This  material  was  not  gained  without  danger, 
for  the  buildings  were  being  systematically  shelled  while  the 
•  men  were  engaged  in  tearing  the  sides  and  roofs  away  for  their 
own  purposes. 

Because  our  line  of  fox  holes  was  protected  from  shell  fire 
does  not  mean  that  it  was  altogether  quiet  and  peaceful  in  the 
ravine.     From  the  time  we  arrived  until  it  became  too  dark  to 
observe,  Boche  planes  were  flying  over  us.     One  bore  the  mark- 
ings of  a  French  plane,  but  its  signals     were     German     and     it 
.  dropped  several  bombs  in  an  effort  to  hit  our  line.  Another  plane 
/   was   engaged  in   directing  the   artillery.     It  signalled   our   posi- 
(     tion,  but  fortunately  the  artillery  could  not  reach  a  sufficiently 
\    high  trajectory  to  drop  shells  on  our  line.     All  along  the   line 
t  they  were  dropping  an  occasional  gas  shell  and  we  could  detect 
\  the  odor  of  phosgene  almost  constantly.     Discovering  that  the 
artillery  could  not  reach  us,  the  plane  swooped  down  and  raked 
our    line    with    its    machine   gun;    fortunately    injuring   no    one. 

XThen  it  flew  over  to  our  left  and  signalled  the  location  of  a  first 
aid  station  of  a  battalion  of  the  35th  Division  to  the  guns.  This 
station  with  its  wounded  and  surgeons  was  wiped  out  by  three 
shells.  Then  the  plane  gave  its  attention  to  some  machine  gun 
carts,  which  were  quickly  demolished. 

At  this  time  the  1st  Battalion  was  six  hundred  meters  in 
advance  on  our  left  front,  occupying  a  line  from  the  rear  of 
Tronsol  Farm  on  the  left  to  the  front  of  Bois  de  Baulny.  "M" 
Company  of  the  3rd  Battalion  was  on  the  right  front  of  the 
woods.  "F,"  "G"  and  "H"  Companies  were  on  the  right  rear 
of  our  company,  and  acting  in  support.  In  mopping  up  the 
German  dugouts  a  pile  of  fresh  cabbages  was  found;  these  were 
cut  into  quarters  and  divided  among  the  men  for  supper,  and 
were  an  appreciated  luxury.  A  few  lucky  ones  shared  in  some 
cabbage  soup  which  Fritzie  had  left  behind  in  his  hurry  to 
move. 

With  darkness  came  rain ;  then  more  rain ;  then  pouring 
rain.  The  night  was  cold,  wet  and  thoroly  uncomfortable,  tho 
the  blanketless  men  had  some  warmth  and  protection  in  their 
hastily  constructed  shelters.  There  was  one  shelter  that  was 
congested  for  awhile.  Private  Thomas '  J.  Boler  and  his  imme- 
diate cronies  had  constructed  a  fairly  watertight  shelter.  The 
skipper  observed  it  and  stuck  his  head  in  the  entrance  to  see 
whether  there  was  a  chance  for  him  to  get  out  of  the  wet.  There 
came  mutterings  of  "full  house,"  "dig  a  hole  for  yourself,''  etc., 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  69 

but  when  they  found  the  "old  man"  was  looking  in  they  shut 
up  and  rolled  over  to  make  room  for  him.  They  all  heaved  a 
sigh  of  relief  when  the  Captain  was  called  to  duty  about  half 
an  hour  later. 

About  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  supply  wagons  came 
up  to  the  cross  roads.  They  brought  "canned  willie"  and  hard- 
tack, and,  what  was  more  welcome,  hot  coffee.  These  were  un- 
loaded into  a  German  shack.  Our  ration  detail  carried  cans  of 
hot  coffee  up  to  our  line  and  every  one  piled  out  for  chow  and 
a  hot  drink.  About  three  o'clock  Lieut.  McCune  and  his  platoon 
joined  the  company,  and  Major  Gregory  came  up  and  renewed 
the  order  to  hold  our  position.  The  men  of  the  other  com- 
panies not  having  come  up  for  their  issue  of  coffee,  we  were  al- 
lowed a  second  issue,  which,  at  least,  made  "E"  Company  feel 
better. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  28th,  on  the  hill  northwest  of 
Eclisfontaine  and  overlooking  Exmorieux  Farm,  two  of  our  men 
attached  to  the  Battalion  Headquarters'  intelligence  section  were 
wounded.  The  Battalion  P.  C.  was  being  heavily  shelled  and 
the  men  were  digging  in,  when  a  "big  one"  came  over.  It  ex- 
ploded and  severely  wounded  Corporal  Elmer  L.  Bernard  in  the 
right  arm.  Fragments  of  the  same  shell  wounded  Private  1st 
Class  Wilmeth  Watson  in  the  head  and  foot.  Corporal  Dustin 
narrowly  escaped  injury.  He  had  just  surrendered  his  shovel 
and  place  in  a  double  fox  hole  to  Bernard  before  the  G.  L  can 
landed. 


XVIII.     HOLDING  ON  THE  FOURTH  DAY. 

"Over  here,  Over  here,  carry  on,  carry  on  over  here ; 

"For  the  Huns  are  running  when  we  get  gunning, 

"And  beat  them  backward  to  the  rear. 
"Over  here,  far  and  near,  from  the  North  from  the  South  hear  the  cheer, 

"Ever  sounding,  when  we  are  pounding, 

"As  we  fight,  fight,  fight,  'till  it's  over,  over  here." 

With  the  approach  of  dawn  on  September  29th  the  rain 
ceased.  In  its  place  came  strong  artillery  fire  all  along  the  front 
lines.  The  35th  Division,  on  the  left  of  the  91st,  had  not  been 
able  to  keep  up  the  pace.  The  37th  Division  on  our  right  had  not 
only  not  kept  up,  but  had  withdrawn  for  some  distance  under 
cover  of  darkness.  This  left  the  91st  Division  in  a  salient  in 
front  of  the  line  of  advance,  enfiladed  from  east  and  west  by 
machine  gun  and  artillery  fire.  Tho  orders  had  come  to  advance 
it  was  impossible  to  do  so  in  the  face  of  existing  conditions. 
Even  with  the  316th  Engineers  brought  into  the  line  as  infantry 
the  182nd  Brigade  could  not  go  forward  in  the  face  of  the  strong 
fire  it  met,  without  artillery  support,  which  it  did  not  then  have. 
The  front  of  the  Division,  bulging  as  it  thus  did  and  requiring 


70  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


protection  on  both  flanks,  covered  eight  kilometers,  when  it 
should  have  had  only  two  kilometers  of  front.  This  spelled  peril, 
particularly  as  counter  attacks  were  threatened  from  both 
flanks. 

At  dawn  Captain  Graupner  prepared  to  relieve  the  outposts 
which  had  occupied  the  hill  above  the  company  during-  the  night. 
He  called  together  some  of  the  non-commissioned  officers  to 
make  the  relief.  First  Sergeant  Salmon,  Sergeant  Weston  and 
Corporals  Miller  and  Silvey  promptly  reported;  and,  while  wait- 
ing for  the  others,  Private  1st  Class  Jesse  L.  Foster  joined  the 
group.  While  sitting  on  the  slope  of  the  bank  waiting  for  all 
to  report,  a  heavy  shell  from  a  German  gun  in  the  woods  on  our 
right  flank  passed  over  their  heads  and  exploded  in  the  woods 
above.  This  was  quickly  followed  by  a  second  and  third  shell. 
The  third  one  landed  in  the  immediate  rear  of  the  group,  explod- 
ing and  killing  Foster  immediately  and  wounding  Corporal  Mil- 
ler so  seriously  that  he  died  within  less  than  two  hours.  Cap- 
tain Graupner,  Sergeant  Weston  and  Corporal  Silvey  were  ser- 
iously wounded,  and  First  Sergeant  Salmon  was  slightly 
wounded  on  the  right  jaw.  One  shell  put  the  entire  six  out  of 
action  for  the  rest  of  the  war.  Miller  was  promptly  carried  back 
to  the  first  aid  station,  where  he  died.  Weston  and  Silvey  were 
also  carried  back  but  were  taken  to  a  dressing  station  of  the 
363rd  Infantry.  Captain  Graupner,  after  being  relieved  of 
command  by  Lieut.  Bruce,  walked  back  to  the  aid  station  with 
the  assistance  of  Private  1st  Class  Amos  Tille.  About  7:30a.  m. 
Private  Harry  Howell,  who  had  become  lost  from  the  company 
late  on  the  afternoon  of  the  28th,  was  severely  wounded  by  a 
shell  fragment,  which  tore  away  his  left  arm.  Corporal  George 
A.  Harris  had  a  narrow  escape  from  being  torn  up  by  a  big 
shell.  As  it  was,  he  was  knocked  out  and  badly  shaken  by  the 
concussion. 

Lieut.  Bruce  had  been  at  battalion  headquarters  all  night 
trying  to  round  up  strays  and  stragglers.  When  he  took  com- 
mand he  was  minus  his  slicker  and  leggings,  and  wet  to  the 
skin.  His  leggings  had  gone  for  tourniquets  to  check  the  bleed- 
ing of  Lieut.  Bronson's  wounds  on  the  27th,  and  his  slicker 
had  been  lost  from  his  pack  on  the  first  day,  leaving  him  with- 
out protection  from  the  rain  and  cold.  The  exposure  and 
fatigue  which  he  had  suffered  made  him  an  easy  subject  for  the 
gas  that  he  received  later  in  the  day.  Lieut.  Bruce  moved  the 
company  to  a  position  further  up  the  slope  of  the  ravine  on 
the  south  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Baulny.  There,  at  regular  inter- 
vals all  day  long,  the  Boche  gave  the  company  doses  of  heavy 
shelling — high  explosive,  with  a  gas  shell  now  and  then  for 
variety's  sake.  They  got  the  range  of  the  bench  the  company 
had  occupied  the  night  before  and  thoroughly  ploughed  it  up 
with  H.  E.  Late  in  the  afternoon  Lieut.  Bruce  was  gassed  by 
one  of  the  occasional  shells.  He  dropped  unconscious  and  was 
carried  back  to  the  first  aid  station.  Two  of  the  men  who  car- 
ried him  back  were  gassed  on  the  way  to  the  rear;  Private  1st 
Class  Amos  Tille  being  one  of  them.  During  the  day  the  com- 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  71 

pany  suffered  heavily  from  ,gas  and  shell  fire.  Sergeant  Milton 
M.  Bolton,  Corporal  Paul  C.  Johnson  and  Privates  Fred  Gardner, 
Hugh  Gulley,  Anthony  D.  Psaros  and  Edward  Wilson  were 
gassed.  Private  Otto  A.  De  Long  was  wounded  by  a  shell 
fragment,  while  Private  Edwin  J.  Plaster  was  wounded  in  the 
left  hand  by  a  machine  gun  bullet. 

During  the  afternoon  conditions  on  the  front  were  threaten- 
ing and  alarming.  The  Germans  were  concentrating  heavily 
near  Exermont  on  our  left  flank.  The  35th  Division  had  fallen 
back  and  left  the  91st  Division's  left  flank  suspended  in  the  air. 
The  316th  Engineers  had  been  brought  up  and  placed  so  as  to 
protect  the  front  left  exposed  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  35th 
Division.  It  was  a  long  bulging  front,  weakly  held  by  a  thin 
etenuated  line.  During  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  the  German 
troops  emerged  from  the  cover  of  the  brush  where  they  had 
formed  and  started  a  counter  attack  on  our  left  flank.  This 
was  broken  up  by  the  guns  of  the  348th  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion, posted  on  the  heights  south  of  Tronsol  Farm.  The  316th 
Engineers  completed  the  breaking  up  of  this  counter  attack  by 
a  spirited  attack,  with  heavy  rifle  fire.  During  the  day  the  whole 
Division  was  subjected  to  heavy  and  constant  shell  fire. 

About  2  p.  m.  a  shell  struck  in  the  road  on  the  hill  above 
Eclisfontaine,  where  the  regimental  P.  C.  was  located.  In  ex- 
ploding it  wounded  Lieut.  -Col.  Mudgett  and  six  men  of  the 
headquarters'  detachment,  among  them  the  telephone  operator, 
who  bravely  stayed  at  his  post  and  notified  Major  Richeson  and 
Brigade  Headquarters  of  the  disabling  of  the  C.  O.  Lieut.  -Col. 
Mudgett  had  been  severely  wounded  in  the  hip  and  was  com- 
pelled to  go  to  the  rear.  This  left  Major  Gregory  as  senior  offi- 
cer in  command  of  the  regiment  until  he  was  disabled  the  follow- 
ing morning. 


XIX.  THE  WAIT  OF  THE  HUNDRED  HOURS. 

"Joan  of  Arc,  Joan  of  Arc,  Do  your  eyes,  from  the  skys,  see  the  foe? 

Don't  you  see  the  drooping  Fleur  de  Lisf 

Can't  you  hear  the  tears  of  Normandy? 
Joan  of  Arc,  Joan  of  Arc,  let  your  spirit  guide  us  through; 

Come  lead  your  France  to  victory; 

Joan  of  Arc,  they  are  calling  you." 

(Joan  of  Arc.) 

From  September  30th  to  October  4th  was  a  grim,  hard 
test  of  endurance  and  courage.  The  task  assigned  was  that  of 
holding  the  line  as  it  was,  while  Divisions  on  both  flanks  caught 
up,  and  while  roads  could  be  rebuilt  to  allow  artillery  and  sup- 
plies to  be  brought  up.  It  was  a  hell  of  incessant  shelling. 
Fatigue,  hunger,  rain  and  cold  made  the  trial  more  severe.  To 
add  to  the  discomfort  and  difficulty,  dysentry  broke  out  as  a 
result  of  poor  water,  exposure,  cold  food  and  eating  from  dirty 
mess  kits,  that  no  one  had  had  a  chance  to  clean.  The  strength 


> 


72  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 

and  resistance  of  the  men  were  sorely  tested  and  badly  sapped. 
Hardest  of  all  was  the  inactivity.  Lying  in  muddy  fox  holes  un- 
der constant  terror  of  high  explosive  and  gas,  without  a  chance 
to  get  up  and  at  the  Boche,  had  a  serious  effect  upon  the  morale 
of  the  men.  They  became  irritable  and  restless  under  the  strain 
of  inaction.  When  one  is  in  the  fight  there  is  the  stimulus  of 
excitement  that  keeps  him  up  and  going;  when  that  stimulus  is 
removed  the  burden  becomes  heavy  and  courage  is  sorely  tried. 
Nevertheless  the  men  bore  up  under  it  and  stuck. 

"E"  Company  shifted  and  laid  close  to  the  west  edge  of  the 
Bois  de  Baulny,  in  line  along  the  southern  fringe  of  the  woods, 
fairly  well  protected  from  shell  fire ;  tho  it  came  closer  than  was 
comfortable  and  gas  frequently  drifted  in  on  the  position.  The 
remainder  of  the  battalion  was  brought  up.  "F"  and  "H"  Com- 
panies took  position  on  the  right  of  "E,"  and  like  it,  close  up  to 
the  southern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Baulny.  "G"  Company  relieved 
"M"  on  the  northeast  front  of  the  woods.  Battalion  P.  C.  was 
established  close  to  the  line.  There  was  one  compensation  about 
the  position — ration  wagons  could  come  close  up  at  night.  There 
was  no  long  carry  of  rations  or  ammunition.  On  the  30th  the 
company  "laid  doggo"  and  rested  as  best  it  could  in  the  damp 
fox  holes  and  cold.  During  the  early  part  of  the  forenoon  Major 
Walter  H.  Gregory  succumbed  to  shell  shock  and  exhaustion  and 
was  carried  to  the  rear.  Captain  Willis  E.  Simpson  of  "H" 
Company  succeeded  to  command  of  the  battalion  and  remained 
as  commander  until  he  was  relieved  at  Bussy  le  Cote.  Lieut.- 
Col.  Lucius  C.  Bennett,  who  had  been  acting  as  Division  Quar- 
termaster, was  assigned  to  the  regiment  and  assumed  command 
at  9  a.  m.  There  was  heavy  shelling  during  the  day,  tho  no 
direct  hits  were  made  on  the  line  of  our  men.  There  was  only 
one  casualty  in  the  Company — Private  David  Shankey  was 
wrounded.  Four  of  five  enemy  snipers  in  American  uniforms 
were  captured  within  the  American  lines  and  summarily  shot. 
The  enemy  appeared  to  be  using  aeroplanes  with  allied  mark- 
ings for  artillery  observation,  and  we  dared  not  recognize  any 
signals  from  planes.  The  burial  detail  under  command  of 
Chaplain  Wilson  was  repeatedly  shelled  while  burying  American 
and  German  dead. 

On  the  morning  of  October  1st  a  counter  attack  was  threat- 
ened from  the  left  front.  Word  was  received  at  Battalion  P.  C. 
to  reinforce  the  363rd  Infantry,  and  "E"  Company  was  ordered 
to  move  out.  Lieut.  Johnson  reported  to  Colonel  Cavanaugh 
and  Major  Cadwalader  of  the  363rd  and  was  directed  to  make 
reconnaisance  and  place  the  company  on  the  slope  to  the  west 
of  the  Bois  de  Baulny.  After  crawling  up  to  the  crest  of  the 
rise  and  getting  a  view  of  the  situation,  Lieut.  Johnson  returned 
to  the  company.  The  men  formed  in  artillery  formation  and 
moved  by  the  left  flank,  ready  to  move  on  to  the  heights  when 
'ordered.  There  the  company  was  sighted  and  shelled.  It  was 
then  moved  further  to  the  rear  for  protection,  but  Private 
Samuel  W.  Switzer  was  wounded  in  the  foot  by  a  shell  frag- 
ment, Private  Paul  H.  Kuenzli  was  wounded  in  the  jaw  by  an- 


OF   E   CO.,    364TH    INF.  73 

other  fragment,  Private  Vander  Loo  was  severely  wounded  in 
the  leg,  and  Private  Doak  Holder  was  killed  while  in  that  posi- 
tion.  Holder,  tho  shot  thru  the  heart,  walked  back  almost  a 
hundred  yards  before  he  fell.  When  Kuenzli  was  wounded 
someone  shouted  for  a  stretcher.  Kuenzli  promptly  yelled — "I 
don't  want  a  stretcher,,  give  me  first  aid." 

Seven  or  eight  French  tanks  came  along  in  time  to  break 
up  the  threatened  counter  attack.  They  smashed  the  massed 
Germans  and  saved  "E"  Company  from  going  over  the  top.  The 
tanks  were  just  in  time,  for  the  Huns  were  starting  to  leave  the 
woods  and  would  have  seriously  endangered  the  left  flank  of 
the  363rd  had  they  been  able  to  strike  home.  The  attack  being 
broken  "E"  returned  to  the  original  position,  and  laid  there 
until  after  midnight. 

In  the  early  morning  hours  of  October  2nd,  under  cover  of 
darkness,  the  company  moved  up  to  relieve  "A"  Company  of  the 
363rd  Infantry  on  the  front  line.  That  company  had  no  knowl- 
edge that  it  was  to  be  relieved  and  no  orders.  However,  "E" 
took  over  the  line  on  the  forward  slope  of  the  ridge  east  of  Tron- 
sol  Farm.  The  men  went  over  the  skyline  in  scattered  groups 
and  took  possession  of  the  position.  This  was  front  line  work 
and  meant  entrenching.  There  was  only  a  short  line  of  shallow 
and  hastily  dug  trench,  which  had  been  occupied  by  only  one 
platoon  of  "A"  Company  of  the  363rd.  It  had  to  be  deepened 
and  lengthened  to  accommodate  a  company.  Outposts  were 
established  in  shell  holes  about  fifty  yards  in  front,  and  the 
company  began  at  once  to  dig  in  and  improve  its  defences.  The 
night  was  cold  and  foggy,  but  the  work  kept  the  men  warm. 
When  dawn  came  all  settled  down  under  cover  of  holes  and 
trenches.  During  the  day  the  Germans  directed  machine  gun 
and  rifle  fire  on  the  position.  There  was  a  steady  flight  of  shells 
overhead,  but  they  were  directed  at  troops  in  the  rear,  and  it  is 
far  more  comfortable  to  hear  them  whishing  and  whining  over- 
head than  to  have  them  crump,  crash  and  bang  around  you. 
Private  Frederick  T.  Barton  got  a  bullet  thru  his  neck  by  ex- 
hibiting  too  much  curiosity  as  to  what  was  going  on  in  front  of 
him.  He  was  the  only  casualty.  The  other  men  lay  low  and 
were  fairly  comfortable.  They  were  safe  as  long  as  they  did 
not  attempt  to  look  at  the  landscape.  The  Germans  made  no 
attempt  to  come  over,  but  contented  themselves  with  sniping 
and  sending  bursts  of  machine  gun  fire  on  our  line  of  trenches. 

About  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  October  2nd  orders  to 
withdraw  came.  The  position  was  turned  over  to  two  platoons 
of  'T"  Company  under  command  of  Lieut.  W.  D.  Seay,  and 
"E"  Company  marched  back  and  joined  the  remainder  of  the 
battalion  in  the  ravine  south  of  Exmorieux  Farm  and  Les 
Epinettes  Bois,  near  Eclisfontaine.  The  movement  was  effected 
without  loss,  although  much  confusion  resulted  in  trying  to  find 
the  "holes"  we  were  supposed  to  occupy.  Midnight  found  us 
safely  under  cover.  There  the  Company  stayed  the  remainder 
of  the  night  and  all  day  of  October  3rd.  It  was  what  the  Tom- 
mies called  "an  'ell  of  a  'ole."  There  was  beaucoup  shelling. 


74  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


Jerry  sent  over  everything  from  77s  to  G.I.  cans.  All  night  long 
the  shelling  continued  and  intermittently  thru  the  day  H.  E. 
and  gas  shells  came  over.  Privates  Theodore  Anderson  and 
Chester  Alstrum  were  killed ;  Privates  John  J.  Cress,  Manuel  M. 
A.  Ortiz  and  Edmund  Schollaert  were  so  severely  wounded  that 
they  afterwards  died;  Privates  Robert  N.  Bell,  Ivan  E.  Harrah 
and  Fred  Ziemer  were  wounded,  and  Corporal  James  E.  Walker 
was  gassed.  Ortiz  was  in  the  doorway  of  the  supply  depot  at 
Eclisfontaine,  guarding  blankets,  when  a  shell  came  thru  the 
roof  and  exploded ;  a  fragment  hitting  him.  The  worst  of  the 
casualties  was  in  the  ration  detail.  Due  to  the  exhausted  condi- 
tion of  the  men,  the  detail  was  not  made  up  until  about  3  a.  m. 
One  successful  trip  was  made  and  the  men  were  lining  up  for 
the  second  trip  to  the  dump  when  a  shell  landed  close  to  the 
line,  killing  Alstrum  and  wounding  Cress  and  Bell.  A  few  sec- 
onds later  another  shell  landed,  killing  Anderson  and  wounding 
Harrah.  Anderson  and  Harrah  were  the  last  casualties  of  "E" 
Company. 

The  ration  detail  sent  to  Eclisfontaine  brought  the  first 
white  bread  the  men  had  had  since  leaving  Pagny  sur  Meuse. 
This  was  a  luxury,  but  afterward  Lieut.  Millan  hustled  up  a 
couple  of  containers  of  hot  stew  which  rapidly  disappeared. 
After  getting  the  stew  under  their  belts  everybody  perked  up 
and  felt  made  over.  The  result  was  that  the  men  cleaned  up  as 
best  they  could  and  some  had  a  canteen  shave.  Lieut.  Millan 
joined  the  company  during  the  afternoon  and  took  command, 
while  Lieut.  McCune  was  ordered  to  battalion  headquarters  to 
act  as  Battalion  Laiason  Officer  in  Lieut.  Millan's  stead.  This 
was  Lieut.  Millan's  first  duty  with  the  company  since  he  left  it 
at  Camp  Lewis,  tho  he  had  been  on  active  duty  during  all  of  the 
fighting.  The  men  were  mighty  glad  to  have  him  back  with 
them  again. 

Relief  rumors  had  been  flying  thick  and  fast,  but  not  even 
the  regimental  C.  O.  knew  what  the  future  held.  Late  in  the 
afternoon  Lieut.  Johnson  was  ordered  to  report  to  regimental 
P.  C.  This  was  mysterious  to  the  company.  But  there  Lieut. 

/-  Johnson  and  Lieut.  Van  Voris  of  "C"  Company  received  orders 
to  report  of  Division  Headquarters  at  Epinonville  for  instruc- 

\  tions  regarding  the  guiding  in  of  a  relieving  battalion  of  the  32nd 
Division.  Just  as  the  two  Lieutenants  reached  the  village  Jerry 
sent  over  a  salvo.  Down  went  the  ''Loots"  into  a  ditch  along 
the  roadside.  The  shells  went  over  the  "Loots"  and  two  per- 
fectly good  H.  Q.  limousines  went  into  fragments.  On  went 
the  two  and  reported,  and  then  they  went  with  a  Major  of  the 
32nd  Division  to  bring  up  the  relieving  battalion. 

During  the  afternoon  the  men  were  held  closely  to  their 
fox  holes,  for  Fritz  was  searching  them  out  with  his  artillery: 
Many  times  the  shells  came  painfully  close  to  registering  direct 
hits.  Those  were  horrible  moments — lying  there  in  narrow, 
damp  holes,  with  faces  pressed  into  the  earth,  wondering 
whether  or  not  the  next  shell  meant  that  some  one  would  "go 
west."  But  Fritz  never  quite  found  the  spot.  At  dusk  the  word 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  75 

flashed  down  the  line  that  we  were  to  be  relieved.  At  eight 
o'clock  Lieut.  Millan  was  summoned  to  Battalion  P.  C.  and 
received  positive  information  that  the  relief  was  to  be  made. 

After  dark  the  32nd  Division  men  began  to  move  up  and  at 
ten  they  arrived.  Never  was  an  outfit  more  welcome,  tho  there 
was  never  a  chance  to  thank  them.  With  no  map,  and  only  a 
compass  bearing  for  guidance,  the  company  started  back  for  the 
Bois  de  Very  in  column  of  twos.  Each  company  was  to  march 
individually  cross  country,  as  the  roads  were  all  under  shell  fire. 
At  10:30  the  company  was  feeling  its  way  thru  the  darkness, 
checking  up  on  compass  direction  every  few  minutes.  Slow  pro- 
gress was  made,  but  that  mattered  little.  Relief  had  come  after 
eight  days  and  nights  of  hell ;  that  was  enough.  Barbed  wire 
entanglements  were  encountered  everywhere  and  lanes  had  to 
be  cut  thru.  The  men  floundered  thru  shell  holes  and  ditches, 
but  fate  was  kind.  After  being  nearly  submerged  in  a  part  of 
the  32nd  Division,  which  was  advancing  to  make  the  relief,  the 
company  came  out  on  the  same  plank  road  east  of  Very,  where 
the  regiment  had  formed  for  attack  on  the  second  day  of  the 
battle  and  where  "E"  got  its  first  taste  of  the  real  thing.  Here 
word  \vas  received  that  Very  was  being  shelled.  The  C.  O. 
decided  to  remain  on  the  reverse  slope  above  the  plank  road 
until  it  appeared  safer  to  advance. 

From  the  relieving  Division  and  from  the  artillery  outfits 
passed  on  the  way  out  the  word  had  come  that  our  attack  was 
to  be  renewed  at  daybreak  and  that  our  barrage  would  start  at 
4  a.  m.     The  Colonel  decided  to  wait  until  the  barrage  opened   s 
and  then  make  a  dash  for  it,  but  after  a  rest  of  about  an  hour 
he  decided  to  take  a  chance.     The  enemy's  fire  lulled  and  about 
3  :30  a.  m.  the  company  started,  making  a  detour  around  Very     . 
to  avoid  a  possible  shelling.     At  4  a.  m.  our  barrage  opened  and 
it  was  a  wonderful  sight  to  behold.     Thousands  of  guns  of  all     / 
calibres  turned  loose;  the  noise  was  stupenduous.   They  belched 
steel  and  iron  for  an  houm     Then  a  sudden  lull  came,  and  all 
knew  that  the  second  phase  of  the  offensive  had  started. 

The  men  stumbled  and  staggered  back  toward  the  Bois  de 
Very,  but  expectation  kept  them  up.  Just  at  dawn  the  distant 
sound  of  "first  call"  was  heard.  The  bugler  from  some  force 
at  rest  or  in  reserve  was  following  routine  schedule.  The  call 
made  everyone  feel  that  he  was  back  from  the  war;  that  he  was 
nearing  a  place  where  jie  would  have  billets  in  place  of  bullets.  , 
About  daylight  the  woods  were  reached  and  orders  were  given 
for  everyone  to  find  a  hole  for  himself  and  snatch  a  little  rest. 
By  9  a.  m.  alll  of  the  companies  excepting  "F"  had  reached  the 
Bois  de  Very.  The  regiment  was  then  formed  in  column  and 
moved  down  the  Very-Avocourt  road  into  the  heavy  woods, 
where  it  was  to  rest  (?)  and  reorganize. 


76  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


XX.     FROM   BOIS   DE  VERY   TO   VASSINCOURT. 

"Oh,  it's  not  the  pack  that  you  carry  on  your  back, 

Nor  the  Springfield  on  your  shoulder, 
Nor  the  five  inch  crust  of  Khaki  colored  dust, 

That  makes  you  feel  your  limbs  are  growing  older ; 
And  it's  not  the  hike  on  the  hard  turnpike, 

That  wipes  away  your  smile; 
Nor  the  socks  of  sister's  that  raise   the  blooming  blisters, 

It's  the  last  long  mile.     Oh,  its  mile." 

(The  Last  Long  Mile) 

In  the  Bois  de  Very  came  comparative  quiet  and  rest.  Far 
to  the  north  sounded  the  constant  rumble  and  roar  of  battle,  but 
that  bothered  us  none — we  were  out  of  it  for  the  time.  Nearby 
were  some  heavy,  long-range  guns,  but  bodies  and  minds  were 
too  tired  to  be  annoyed  by  them.  The  disturbing  note  was  the 
realization  that  the  ranks  of  the  company  had  been  sadly  thinned. 
Some  had  been  killed  outright,  but  others  had  been  wounded 
and  many  were  missing  without  record  of  what  had  become 
of  them — what  of  them?  JDnly^LJnety-seven  responded  to  roll 
call  in  Bois  de  Very.  Buddies  and  bunkies  were  missing,  squads 
were  broken,  platoons  disorganized.  Come  what  would,  the 
company  would  never  be  the  same  jolly,  carefree  and  whole- 
souled  organization  that  marched  out  of  Longchamp  a  month 
before.  However,  we  had  every  reason  to  be  proud  of  ourselves. 
We  had  been  tried  in  the  crucible  of  war  and  had  proven  our 
metal.  We  had  entered  the  gates  of  hell,  had  tried  our  souls, 
our  bodies  and  our  minds,  and  those  of  us  whose  luck  it  was  to 
come  out  felt  we  were  better  men  than  ever  before. 

The  rolling  kitchen  was  brought  up.  It  was  good  to  see 
the  cooks  again  and  have  them  serve  us  hot  chow.  The  old 
"Quad"  brought  up  the  jam  and  tobacco  with  some  of  the  packs. 
It  so  happened  that  the  first  load  of  packs  brought  those  belong- 
ing to  the  casualties.  The  men  were  ordered  to  open  them  and 
make  use  of  the  overcoats  and  blankets.  These  warm  coverings 
made  comfortable  sleep  again  possible.  Hot  food  and  coffee  at 
regular  periods  made  us  feel  better,  but  the  drag  of  the  dysen- 
tery weakened  the  men  beyond  all  appreciation.  "E"  Company 
was  the  envy  of  the  regiment.  It  had  beaucoup  jam  and  tobacco^ 
and  made  a  ten  strike  when  it  doled  it  out  to  the  other  less  for- 
tunate companies  of  the  battalion.  The  old  "Quad"  was  worth 
while  after  all;  tho,  when  the  Colonel  found  it,  he  worked  Red- 
mond, and  the  other  men  who  admitted  that  they  knew  how  to 
drive  it,  almost  to  death. 

As  soon  as  everyone  had  some  sleep  the  work  of  reorgani- 
zation began.  Almost  the  first  duty  after  reaching  the  bivouac 
in  the  Bois  de  Very  was  preparing  for  inspection.  Rifles, 
equipment,  clothing  and  shoes  had  to  be  cleaned  up  before  a 
chance  to  rest  was  given.  There  in  the  woods  the  company 
formed  and  stood  for  formal  inspection.  In  that  never-to-be- 
forgotten  spot  the  first  call  for  reports  was  received,  and  from 
that  day  on  it  was  just  one  damned  report  after  another.  Re- 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  77 

ports  on  ammunition,  on  .personnel,  on  killed,  wounded  and 
missing.  Reports  on  skyrockets,  on  Liberty  Bond  subscriptions, 
on  missing  Very  pistols,  on  lost  automatic  rifles.  Reports  on 
clothing  needed,  on  the  number  of  automatic  gunners  and  grena- 
diers, on  the  number  of  suits  of  underwear  necessary  to  give 
each  man  one  suit.  If  there  were  any  reports  that  were  not  de- 
manded army  red-tape  missed  its  opportunity.  The  company 
was  scattered  in  a  dense  wood,  there  was  no  paper  to  write  on, 
and  nearly  everyone  was  too  sick  to  think  properly.  Company 
rosters  had  been  left  in  the  field  desk  and  were  not  obtainable 
and  no  one  knew  the  number  of  casualties  or  how  many  men 
were  present  when  the  company  had  "jumped  off."  Then  the 
counting  started — if  the  company  was  counted  once  it  was 
counted  fifty  times  during  the  next  five  days,  and  each  time  the 
total  was  different.  A  new  roster  was  made  up,  but  with  the 
men  straggling  back  each  day  and  others  being  taken  to  the 
hospital  or  placed  on  special  duty,  it  was  almost  impossible  to 
tell  just  what  our  losses  had  been. 

Squads  were  reformed  and  platoons  reorganized.  Four  ser- 
geants and  fifteen  corporals  were  missing — killed,  wounded  or 
gassed — and  their  places  had  to  be  filled.  The  skipper  and  Lieut. 
Bruce  were  gone,  Lieut.  McCune  was  assigned  to  battalion  head-^ 
quarters,  Lieut.  Johnson  was  sorely  ill,  and  the  work  fell  on 
Lieut.  Millan.  Delivery  of  mail  with  news  of  home  brought  joy 
to  all  and  forgetfulness  of  surroundings.  The  Bois  de  Very  was 
not  altogether  a  pleasant  place.  Debris  of  battle  was  scattered 
around,  and,  since  the  Germans  had  been  driven  back,  the 
bivouac  ground  had  been  occupied  by  our  troops  going  forward. 
The  ground  had  not  been  policed  and  sanitary  conditions  were 
not  the  best. 

The  counting  of  the  men  got  to  be  quite  a  joke.  The  com- 
pany would  be  lined  up  and  Sergeants  Works  and  La  Monte 
would  start  counting,  and  each  would  arrive  at  different  totals. 
Then  Sergeants  Killeen  and  Holder  would  try  their  hands,  and 
after  about  three  counts  would  agree  on  the  number  in  forma- 
tion. Then  comparison  would  show  their  total  to  amount  to 
five  more  than  the  company  roster.  Then  followed  much  per- 
plexity, scratching  of  heads  and  counting  before  a  balance  was 
struck.  The  men  were  given  little  or  no  chance  to  rest.  About 
two  days  of  sleep  was  badly  needed,  for  everyone  was  suffering 
from  exposure,  poor  water  and  lack  of  warm  food,  and  about 
seventy-five  percent  of  the  men  had  developed  dysentery,  which 
made  conditions  worse.  But,  during  the  three  days'  stay  in  the 
Bois  de  Very  every  minute  of  daylight  was  taken  up  with  clean- 
ing and  polishing  of  equipment  and  arms,  and  in  numerous  in- 
spections. Even  a  daily  drill  schedule  was  issued.  This  in- 
cluded manual  of  arms,  setting  up  exercises,  school  of  the  soldier, 
squad  and  platoon.  Xo  chance  was  given  to  recuperate  from 
the  hardships  of  battle. 

It  was  expected  that  the  Division  would  remain  as  Corps 
Reserve  for  at  least  a  week.  However,  on  October  6th  came 
orders  to  march  further  to  the  rear.  That  evening  at  seven 


78  THE    "WAR   BOOK" 


o'clock  the  march  began.  No  one  will  ever  forget  that  march, 
miles  of  which  were  over  freshly  crushed  rock,  which  had  been 
spread  to  repair  the  road,  and  the  rest  of  which  was  over  rutted 
and  travel-torn  roadways.  To.  make  matters  worse  it  rained 
heavily.  Thru  the  Bois  de  Very  and  the  Foret  de  Hesse,  past 
traffic  moving  to  the  front  over  rocks,  thru  mud  and  pools  of 
water  the  column  staggered  along.  In  this  trial  the  wonderful 
spirit  of  the  company  was  displayed.  Utterly  worn  out,  weak 
from  exposure  and  sickness,  and  with  packs  that,  in  some  cases 
looked  almost  as  heavy  as  the  men  who  carried  them,  the  men 
never  lost  courage. 

Lieut.  Johnson  was  at  the  head  of  the  column,  while  Lieut. 
Millan  marched  at  the  rear.  The  orders  were  that  no  one  was 
to  fall  out  of  column  without  a  written  order  of  the  company 
commander.  Each  man  tried  to  cheer  the  men  in  his  rank.  A 
halt  would  occur  and  the  entire  column  would  seat  themselves 
in  the  mud  of  the  roadside  in  effort  to  ease  the  burden  of  the 
packs.  All  too  soon  the  march  would  be  resumed  and  the  men 
would  struggle  to  their  feet  and  doggedly  move  on  thru  the 
darkness.  Some  of  the  men  kept  going  on  pure  grit  alone;  sev- 
eral were  out  of  their  heads,  but  they  wouldn't  quit.  When  it 
seemed  as  tho  a  man  were  ready  to  fall  some  pal  would  take 
his  rifle  and  gas  mask,  in  some  cases  even  the  pack,  and  brace  the 
weakened  man  with  a  "stick  it  out,  Bill,  it  can't  be  much  further." 
At  4  a.  m.  a  long  halt  occurred,  followed  by  many  orders,  and 
finally  the  companies  were  led  up  a  small  valley  to  the  side  of 
Hill  306 — Graveyard  Hill — almost  a  kilometer  and  a  half  east 
of  Dombasle.  There  the  men  were  told  to  make  themselves 
"comfortable" — and  it  was  still  raining.  After  some  attempt  to 
separate  the  battalions  orders  were  given  to  unsling  equipment 
and  sleep.  The  utterly  exhausted  doughboys  flopped  in  the 
sticky,  gooey,  oozy  mud  and  slept  like  the  dead. 

Reveille  sounded  at  7:30  a.  m. — after  about  two  hours  and  a 
half  of  sleep.  We  were  all  up  and  looking  anxiously  toward  the 
spot  where  the  rolling  kitchens  were  smoking  fitfully,  surrounded 
by  a  young  battalion  of  kitchen  police.  For  once  there  were 
plenty  of  volunteers  for  K.  P.,  as  a  detail  meant  extra  "eats"  and 
at  least  a  little  warmth  around  the  stoves — and  everyone  was 
chilled  to  the  marrow.  Breakfast  over,  the  rain  ceased  tempor- 
arily, and,  as  it  appeared  that  a  few  days  might  be  spent  on  the 
hillside,  everyone  was  soon  busy  putting  the  camp  in  order. 
Orders  began  to  arrive  and  the  scene  was  one  of  hustling 
activity. 

The  2nd  Battalion  pitched  pup  tents,  and  spent  all  morning 
lining  them  up  and  moving  them  around,  when  it  appeared  that 
one  tent  was  out  of  line  an  inch  or  two — this  was  war,  and  war 
is  hell.  Finally,  after  much  sighting  and  re-arranging,  they  were 
all  up  and  in  perfect  alignment.  The  company  heaved  a  sigh  of 
relief  and  began  to  arrange  equipment  for  inspection.  Then  it 
was  discovered  that,  owing  to  a  slight  mistake  of  the  battalion 
commander,  the  tents  of  the  entire  battalion  were  too  close  to- 
gether. We  were  ordered  to  strike  tents  and  put  them  up  again, 


OF   E   CO.,    364TH    INF. 


with  more  distance  between  company  lines.  Ye  gods,  how  all 
hands  cussed! — under  breaths,  of  course.  All  that  was  needed 
was  rest,  but  it  seemed  as  tho  the  rest  was  not  to  be. 

Three  busy  days  followed — days  filled  with  endless  inspec-  '*"? 
tions,  cleaning  of  equipment,  and   making  reports   and   requisi-   f 
tions.      Supply   Sergeant   Wynne    and    Corporal    McGowan,   his  ( 
assistant,  were  as  busy  as  armless  men  with  cooties.     Day  andJ 
night   they   took   stock   and   made   requisitions.     Just   what   be-  v 
came   of   those   requisitions   no   one   ever   knew.     A   requisition    y 
would  go  in  for — "125  pairs  shoes,  field,"  and  "200  pairs  socks,  / 
woollen.  '     Next  day  seventeen  pairs  of  socks  would  arrive  with 
orders  for  a  new  requisition  for  socks.     If  all  requisitions   for 
clothing   and   equipment   turned   in   by   the   regiment   had   been  J 
filled,  we  would  have  been  able  to  outfit  the  Fifth  Army  Corps — 
but  we  never  got  what  we  needed.     Sergeant  Schwertfeger  also 
had  his  troubles.    As  he  was  attached  to  the  personnel  office  his 
entire  days  and  much  of  each  night  were  spent  working  on  the 
company  casualty  report  and  paper  work  without  end. 

The  weather  cleared  but  the  men  were  miserable.  All 
w^ere  in  a  weakened  condition  from  dysentery  and  the  Field 
Hospital  was  filled  to  overflowing.  Far  away  was  the  roar  of 
battle ;  the  past  experiences  seemed  a  hideous  nightmare.  Daily 
were  seen  the  aeroplanes  at  work  in.  the  distant  sky,  and' once 
a  concentration  of  allied  planes  went  after  the  Boche.  How 
we  had  longed  for  those  planes  while  we  were  in  the  line,  with 
only  German  Fokkers  above  us,  and  they  directing  artillery  fire 
on  us. 

Rumors  came  that  we  were  to  be  sent  to  a  rest  area  for  '• 
recuperation,  and  the  men  cheered  up.     At  midnight  on  October 
9th  orders  came  and  at  seven  o'clock  the  next  morning  the  regi-    ( 
ment,  under  full  packs  and  wearing  heavy  O.  D.  overcoats,  be-     \ 
gan  a  three  days'  march  to  Bussy  le  Cote  and,  as  all  thought, 
those   promised   billets.     The   day  was   a   beautiful   one,   which 
cheered  the  spirits,  but  the  men  soon  began  to  suffer  from  the    j 
"oArercoats."     As  some  Divisional  order  had  decreed  that  it  was    / 
winter  time  and  overcoats  should  be  worn  on  all  marches,  the^ 
men  could  not  shed  them. 

The  march  that  day  was  fifteen  kilometers — thru  Brocourt, 
Jubecourt  and  Ville  sur  Cousances  to  Julvecourt.  It  was  fifteen 
kilometers  of  Hades  for  the  weakened  men  under  their  full  packs. 
The  march  order  called  for  forty-five  minutes  of  marching  and 
fifteen  minutes  of  rest,  with  a  one  hour  stop  for  mess.  The  roads 
were  good,  but  the  heavy  packs  and  the  heat  soon  began  to  tell 
and  during  the  afternoon  men  were  constantly  falling  out  of 
line.  As  the  men  dropped  from  the  column  they  were  given 
written  permission  by  the  company  commander  and  were  picked 
up  by  the  battalion  ambulance.  Many  of  them  never,  got  back 
to  the  company,  but  found  their  way  to  Base  Hospitals  for 
treatment.  Late  that  afternoon  the  company  bivouaced  at 
Julvecourt. 

Early 'the  next  morning  all  were  on  the  march  again.  This 
day  the  way  led  thru  Ippecourt,  Fleury,  Waly  and  Foucoucourt 


80  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


to  Triacourt,  where  bivouac  was  reached  after  sixteen  kilometers 
of  hard  grind.  Soon  after  the  march  began  it  developed  that  the 
feet  of  many  of  the  men  were  in  bad  condition.  There  had  been 
no  opportunity  to  replace  worn-out  shoes,  and  many  of  the  men 
were  marching  with  the  soles  of  their  shoes  and  socks  worn 
tru  to  the  skin  of  their  feet.  This  meant  blisters,  bruises  and 
torn  feet;  it  spelled  misery  and  discomfort.  Many  were  com- 
pelled to  drop  by  the  wayside;  some  of  these  rejoined  the  com- 
pany in  camp  that  evening  but  others  were  taken  to  the  hospital. 
Sergeant  Works  gave  Lieutenant  Millan  a  severe  jolt  at 
Triacourt.  Works  had  been  made  top  cutter.  There  was  much 
paper  work  to  be  done  and  Lieut.  Millan  had  been  working  the 
company  clerk  and  top  sergeant  overtime.  On  previous  even- 
ings the  lieutenant  had  been  sending  an  orderly  to  round  up 
Schwertfeger  and  Works.  On  this  evening  he  went  himself  to 
find  the  first  sergeant.  Works  was  so  tired  that  his  feet  wouldn't 
track  right,  and  he  had  turned  in  immediately  after  chow.  The 
lieutenant  wakened  him  by  calling.  Works  growled  out — "Who 
wants  me?"  and  when  he  was  told  Lieut.  Millan,  he  said — "You 

tell  the  lieutenant  to  go  to  h ,  I'm  too  d tired  to  work." 

Then  he  rolled  over  to  peaceful  sleep. 

The  12th  of  October  will  never  be  forgotten.  The  hike  on 
that  day  was  twenty-four  kilometers,  and  tested  the  wasted 
endurance  of  the  men  to  the  last  notch.  Just  before  starting  an 
order  was  issued  directing  that  all  men  whose  feet  were  in  such 
condition  that  they  could  not  march  should  report  to  the  Regi- 
mental Surgeon.  It  was  assumed  that  these  men  would  be 
carried  on  trucks  or,  at  least,  have  their  packs  carried.  But  they 
never  rejoined  the  company  after  reporting  to  the  Surgeon.  No 
/one  knew  until  months  afterward  that  they  had  been  sent  to 
the  Field  Hospital.  The  sending  of  these  men  to  the  Surgeon 
and  their  disappearance  afforded  an  opportunity  to  put  one  over 
on  Lieut.  Millan.  The  lieutenant  swears  that,  of  the  fifteen  men 
sent  to  the  Field  Hospital  only  one  was  armed  with  that  much 
hated  Chauchat  automatic  rifle.  However,  after  they  had  left 
the  company  seven  of  them  in  some  way  had  become  automatic 
riflemen,  for  that  number  of  the  company's  "shoo-shoos"  went 
with  them  and  never  came  back.  Later,  voluminous  reports 
and  detailed  explanations  were  called  for.  Similar  stories  are 
told  of  nearly  every  company  losing  automatics  in  some  such 
mysterious  manner.  However,  as  the  Chauchats  weighed 
about  eighteen  pounds  and  as  they  were  almost  worthless  in 
battle,  their  loss  was  not  mourned  by  any  one  but  the  Supply 
Officer. 

An  incident  arose  before  the  march  of  that  day  which  well 
shows  the  courage  and  spirit  of  the  men  of  the  company.  Just 
before  the  column  started  Sergeant  Bert  C.  Van  Osdoll  re- 
quested permission  to  march  with  his  belt  unfastened.  Upon 
inquiry  by  Lieut.  Millan  it  developed  that  Van  Osdoll  had  re- 
ceived two  wounds  during  the  battle ;  one  in  the  right  side  from 
shrapnel  on  one  day,  and  the  other  just  below  the  knee  on  the 
right  leg  from  a  shell  fragment  on  another  day.  He  never 
left  the  front,  but  led  his  section  thrue  the  entire  battle.  He 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  81 

had  concealed  his  wounds  from  the  officers,  fearing  he  would  be 
sent  to  the  hospital  and  never  get  back  to  the  company.  He 
was  sent  to  the  hospital  from  Bussy  le  Cote  and  rejoined  when 
his  wounds  had  healed. 

During  the  march  "blisters"  and  dysentery  took  their  toll 
and  maivy  men  dropped  from  the  column  to  go  to  the  hospitals. 
From  Triacourt  the  way  led  thru  Vaubescourt,  Rembercourt, 
Louppy  and  Chardogne  to  Bussy  le  Cote.  All  the  way  back  the 
men  thought  of  comfortable  billets.  They  remembered  the 
camions  which  had  jolted  them  up  to  the  Foret  de  Hesse  nearly 
three  weeks  before.  Only  about  eighty-five  of  the  merry 
company  of  men  remained — death,  wounds,  gas  and  dysentery 
had  accounted  for  the  rest  of  them.  At  five  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon the  regiment  reached  Bussy  le  Cote.  There  it  was  learned 
that  the  town  would  hold  only  six  companies  with  comfort. 
Nevertheless  the  regiment  was  "billetted"  there  that  night,  and 
for  the  first  time  in  many  weeks  had  a  roof  over  its  head.  Of 
course  the  billets  had  to  be  shared  with  the  horses,  cows  and 
pigs  of  the  French  owners. 

It  was  with  a  sigh  of  relief  that  the  company  set  about 
straightening  up  its  area.  Soon  the  kitchen  was  in  place,  an 
orderly  room  was  improvised,  and  billets  made  ready  for  in- 
spection. In  the  midst  of  the  work  of  policing  came  the  electriiy- 
ing  news  that  Germany  had  asked  for  an  armistice.  This  was 
the  first  news  of  the  outside  world  that  had  been  received  since 
leaving  Pagny  sur  Meuse,  and  broad  smiles  appeared  upon  the 
faces  of  everyone  for  the  first  time  in  many  days. 

Hardly  had  billets  been  put  in  order  on  the  morning  of 
October  13th  before  orders  came  to  move.  Packs  were  rolled, 
equipment  was  slung,  and  at  9:30  a.  m.  the  company  marched 
out  of  Bussy  le  Cote  and  did  five  kilos  to  the  little  village  of 
Vassincourt,  which  lay  across  the  valley  from  Bussy.  There 
into  billets  again.  At  least  there  was  shelter  from  mud  and  rain. 
"E"  Company  was  alone  again — in  luck  again.  Double  tier 
bunks  in  Adrian  Barracks  were  far  better  than  pup  tents  in  the 
mud.  The  village  was  shattered  and  torn  by  shell  fire,  but, 
with  the  aid  of  German  prisoners  of  war,  the  villagers  were  hard 
at  work  rebuilding  their  torn  homes.  Every  one  was  opti- 
mistic, for  when  a  new  place  was  reached  it  always  was  assumed 
that  the  company  would  settle  down  and  rest.  But  hardly  had 
packs  been  shed  and  quarters  assigned  before  Lieutenant  Mc- 
Cune  appeared.  He  brought  word  that  eleven  men  could  leave 
to  visit  La  Bourboule  rest  area.  Only  eleven  could  go  but 
every  man  wanted  the  opportunity.  Lieut.  Millan  did  not  have  a 
happy  task  making  the  selection,  but  by  late  afternoon  the  lucky 
ones  had  been  chosen.  The  fortunate  winners  of  a  holiday  drew 
new  clothes  and  started  oft"  that  night  for  seven  days'  leave, 
effective  on  arrival  at  the  rest  area.  Those  left  behind  were 
sorry  that  theirs  was  not  the  lot  to  go. 

At  Vassincourt  it  was  clean-up,  reorganize,  re-equip,  retrain, 
and — "drill  ye  tarriers,  drill,"  for  four  days.  On  October  14th 
the  company  received  forty-eight  men  as  replacements,  most  of 


82  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


them  raw  and  untrained.  There  Lieutenant  Blake  joined  "E" 
Company.  New  squads  were  hurriedly  formed  and  the  "rookies" 
scattered  among  them  and  turned  out  to  drill.  New  "non-coms" 
were  made  to  fill  the  vacancies.  With  hot  food  and  medical 
treatment  the  dysentery  abated  in  its  severity  and  the  men  felt 
stronger  and  better.  Lieutenant  Johnson  succumbed  and  was 
sent  to  the  Field  Hospital.  All  thru  the  Argonne  and  on  the 
march  back  he  had  pluckily  stuck  it  out  until  he  was  too  weak 
to  do  any  duty.  The  Battalion  Surgeon  ordered  him  to  the  hos- 
pital, and  he  was  never  able  to  rejoin  the  company.  On  October 
16th  orders  came  to  march  on  the  morrow  to  Mussey  and  entrain. 
Rumors  flew  thick  and  fast.  "Where  are  we  going?"  was  the 
question  on  everyone's  lips.  "Russia,"  said  one,  "Mesopotamia," 
said  another,  and  others  said  "Austria,"  "Italy,"  and  "Belgium." 
Those  who  guessed  Belgium  were  right.  There  was  an  idea 
that  the  Company  was  due  for  more  fighting  and,  after  what 
had  been  endured  in  the  "rest  areas"  the  men  actually  began  to 
look  forward  to  another  battle. 


XXI.     FROM   MUSSEY   TO   THE   BELGIAN   FRONT. 

"Then  it's  home,  boys  home,  it's  home  that  we  would  be, 
It's  home  boys  home,  when  the  nation  shall  be  free; 
We're  in  this  war  until  it  ends,  and  Germany  will  see 
That  the  end  of  all  the  Kaiser's  hopes  is  in  the  infantry." 

On  October  17th  packs  were  rolled,  equipment  slung  and 
the  march  to  Mussey  began.  It  was  only  a  five  kilometer  hike 
and  when  the  company  arrived  the  train  was  waiting.  Again  it 
was  "8  or  40's"  for  the  trip.  About  8  a.  m.  the  signal  was  given, 
the  engine's  toy  whistle  blew,  and  the  trip  was  begun.  The  route 
lay  thru  Vitry-le-Francois,  Chalons-sur-Marne,  Epernay,  Chateau 
Thierry  and  Meaux  to  the  outskirts  of  Paris,  where  the  train  ar- 
rived about  9 :30  that  night.  There  the  train  switched  from 
Chemins  de  Fer  de  L'Est  to  Chemins  de  Fer  de  L'Ouest,  and 
the  route  lay  northwest.  It  was  hard  to  be  so  near  the  big  city 
and  have  no  chance  to  see  it  and  its  sights.  There  was  much 
talk  of  A.W.O.L.  to  see  gay  Paree,  but  none  went.  Thru 
Clermont,  Amiens,  Abbeville,  Etaples,  Boulogne  stir  Mer, 
Calais,  Dunkerque,  Bergues  and  Ypres  to  Boesinghe,  where  the 
company  arrived  at  4:30  p.  m.  and  bivouaced.  This  trip  was 
thru  historic  and  blood-stained  land,  and  gave  the  men  a  chance 
to  see  something  of  the  front  of  which  they  had  heard  so  long. 

Thruout  the  trip  were  evidences  of  how  and  where  France 
had  struggled  to  save  her  capitol  city.  Shell-torn  Chateau 
Thierry  was  not  far  different  from  many  other  shattered  towns, 
but  it  filled  the  men  with  pride  over  the  fact  that  it  was  there 
our  doughboys  and  marines  had  made  history  and  shown  Europe 
what  Americans  could  do.  The  train  sped  toward  Paris  and  on 
every  side  could  been  seen  her  reserve  lines  for  the  defence  of 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  83 

the  city — wire  and  trenches  -were  everywhere.  Hills  and  valleys 
were  scarred  with  trenches,  artillery  emplacements,  shelters, 
dugouts  and  bands  of  barbed  wire.  Had  the  troops  been  forced 
back  they  would  have  found  shelter  prepared  for  their  protec- 
tion— France  was  not  sanguine  that  her  lines  would  hold.  As 
the  train  sped  from  the  environs  of  Paris  toward  the  northwest 
these  evidences  of  preparation  increased.  The  big  Somme  push 
of  April  and  May  had  forced  the  lines  back  along  the  route  of 
the  railway,  and  cuts  and  embankments  were  in  some  places 
honeycombed  with  shelters  and  dugouts.  The  city  of  Amiens 
was  badly  wrecked  by  shell  fire,  bombs  and  fires  caused  by  in- 
cendiary bombs.  From  there,  thru  Abeville  to  Xoyelles,  the  way 
led  down  the  valley  of  the  Somme  River,  whose  waters  had 
carried  the  blood  of  many  brave  Frenchmen  and  Englishmen. 
On  all  sides  appeared  the  devastation  of  war,  from  shell-torn 
earth  to  shattered  villages  and  farm  houses. 

From  Noyelles  sur  Mer  the  train  ran  northward.  There 
was  the  area  of  supply  of  the  British  Army.  On  the  left  spread 
the  waters  of  the  British  Channel.  Everywhere  were  the  evi- 
dences of  the  tremendous  construction  and  labor  that  war  had 
entailed  for  the  British  service.  All  along  the  line  British 
"Tommies,"  "Anzacs,"  "Aussies,"  Canadians,  and  Chinese  labor 
troops  were  to  be  seen.  From  Staples  to  beyond  Calais,  bar- 
racks, stables,  huge  dumps,  warehouses,  aviation  fields,  hangars, 
hospitals  and  cemeteries  lined  the  railroad  on  either  side, 
with  here  and  there  a  prison  camp  crowded  with  Boche. 
The  huge  cemeteries  near  each  hospital  mutely  told  their  tales 
of  thousands  of  lives  given  up  for  the  cause.  Britain  had  almost 
reclaimed  the  sand  dunes  of  the  coast  for  her  \var  purposes,  and 
that  long  and  narrow  strip  of  land  served  as  the  base  for  all  of 
her  activities  in  France.  Boulogne  and  Calais  showed  no  scars 
of  war,  but  Dunkerque  plainly  showed  where  long-range  shells 
and  bombs  had  done  their  work  of  destruction.  Now  the  road 
led  east  thru  Bergues.  Soon  came  the  area  that  had  been  made 
famous  by  the  swaying  struggle  between  the  Briton  and  the 
Boche — the  battlefield  of  Ypres.  No  description  ever  read  com- 
pared with  what  the  men  there  saw.  The  country  was  a  desert 
of  mud,  shell  holes  and  debris  of  war.  There  was  not  an  inch 
of  ground  that  had  not  been  torn  by  shells,  most  of  it  had  been 
ploughed  and  re-ploughed  by  high  explosives.  Shell  holes 
lapped  over  shell  holes,  and  all  were  filled  with  water  and  mud. 
Sergeant  Killeen  aptly  described  it  when  he  said — "Oh  boy!  A 
crow  would  have  to  carry  reserve  rations  to  fly  across  this 
country." 

The  company  detrained  at  an  English  camp  near  Boesinghe 
at  4:30  p.  m.,  October  18th.  The  trip  from  Mussey  had  been 
made  in  less  than  two  days;  a  strong  contrast  to  the  time  re- 
quired to  go  from  Le  Havre  to  Rimacourt.  But  this  time  the 
Division  was  on  its  way  to  reinforce  the  lines  and  had  the  right 
of  way.  \Yith  the  rain  pouring  down  and  devastation  appearing 
on  all  sides,  it  was  not  a  cheerful  camp.  Most  of  the  men  were 
lucky  (?)  enough  to  get  into  dugouts;  some  in  "elephant  huts" 


84  THE   "WAR   BOOK" 


left  by  the  British.  Men  grumbled  and  kicked,  but,  as  usual,  a 
hot  meal  and  a  full  stomach  stopped  the  growling.  The  com- 
pany was  getting  back  ^some  of  its  old-time  spirit,  tho  the  Field 
Hospital  still  took  its  daily  toll.  The  next  morning  everyone 
had  a  chance  to  look  around  and  see  more  of  the  destruction 
of  war  in  this  field.  Less  than  two  weeks  before  the  camping 
place  had  been  immediately  behind  the  British  front  lines,  but 
by  the  time  the  regiment  arrived  the  Allied  armies  had  gone 
far  to  the  front.  Had  not  the  British  placed  signs  where  vil- 
lages and  houses  had  once  stood,  no  one  would  have  been  able 
to  locate  the  places  where  people  had  once  lived  and  cultivated 
their  fields.  The  torn  ground  resembled  a  rolling  sea,  or,  per- 
haps, it  would  be  better  to  compare  it  with  a  field  infested  with 
gigantic  moles  and  gophers,  for  everywhere  there  had  been  an 
upheaval  of  the  earth.  Shell-hole  overlapped  shell-hole  for  a 
distance  of  twenty  miles.  Everywhere  was  mud — mud,  that  re- 
sembled gravy  in  its  consistency.  Men  could  not  move  with- 
out splattering  themselves.  Shoes  were  hidden  in  mud,  wrapped 
leggings  turned  into  spirals  of  caked  mud,  clothing  was  smeared 
and  caked  with  it.  Trenches  crossed  and  re-crossed,  cutting  the 
earth  in  every  direction  as  far  as  the  eye  could  see.  These 
were  the  shallow  variety,  with  high  parapets.  For  the  water 
was  so  near  the  surface  that  it  was  impossible  to  dig  the  deep 
trenches  seen  in  the  Argonne.  All  sorts  of  debris  of  war  littered 
the  area.  What  had  once  been  the  city  of  Ypres  was  only  a 
short  walk  from  the  camp.  All  that  remained  of  that  historic 
place  were  a  few  wrecked  walls  and  a  mass  of  leveled  ruins. 
There  amid  the  shell  holes,  the  mud  and  the  rats  the  regiment 
stayed  for  two  nights. 

At  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Sunday,  October  20th, 
the  company  was  again  on  the  march.  A  march  that  led  across 
"No  Man's  Land"  toward  the  front  and  battle.  The  road  was 
the  wreck  of  one 'of  those  rough  cobblestoned  ways  that  became 
familiar  to  all  before  leaving  Belgium.  It  was  hard  on  the  feet 
and  a  severe  strain  on  ankles  and  leg  tendons.  As  the  tide  of 
battle  had  swept  to  and  fro  over  this  area  both  sides  had  en- 
deavored to  keep  t"he  road  in  repair.  Only  the  splintered  stumps 
remained  to  show  that  beautiful  shade  trees  had  once  graced  the 
sides  of  the  way.  Scattered  along  its  either  side  were  ruined 
tanks,  crippled  trucks,  tangles  of  barbed  wire,  articles  of  equip- 
ment and  clothing,  everything,  in  fact,  that  troops  would  or 
could  use.  On  every  side  could  be  seen  the  graves  of  those  who 
had  fallen,  marked  by  a  cross,  a  pile  of  stones  or  a  stick  with  a 
helmet  surmounting.  The  march  was  literally  thru  "the  port  of 
missing  men."  Thousands  of  men  lay  buried  under  the  mud 
without  sign  or  mark  to  indicate  their  graves.  Thousands  had 
been  buried  and  the  marks  above  their  graves  obliterated  by 
the  stress  of  battle  and  weather.  In  some  places  bodies  had 
been  disinterred  by  shell  fire.  Gigantic  rats  were  everywhere 
and  showed  no  fear  of  us  as  the  column  marched  along.  Sites 
of  villages  could  be  identified  only  by  the  signs  erected  by  the 
British.  Mine  craters  and  detours  showed  where  Jerry  had 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  85 

blown  up  the  road  to  block  the  traffic  of  the  pursuing  English 
and  Canadians. 

On  topping  the  crest  of  Passchendaele  Ridge,  for  which  the 
English  had  struggled  so  long  and  so  often,  the  scene  of  desola- 
tion disappeared.  In  its  place  were  trees  and  cultivated  fields 
and  villages,  which  had  been  damaged  but  not  destroyed.  Build- 
ings had  been  shattered  and  knocked  about,  but  at  a  distance 
they  had  an  appearance  of  solidarity.  On  every  side  appeared 
turnip  fields.  In  the  midst  of  the  harassments  of  war  the  Bel- 
gians had  cultivated  their  lands.  Here  and  there  were  the  bodies 
of  French  and  German  dead,  whom  the  haste  of  the  drive  had 
denied  burial. 

After  a  march  of  about  twenty-seven  kilometers  the  com- 
pany pitched  tents  in  the  rain  and  mud.  In  the  morning  it  was 
hit  the  road  again.  The  morale  was  getting  better,  and  there 
was  hardly  a  man  that  was  not  eagerly  looking  forward  to  an- 
other "show."  All  realized  that  much  had  happened  in  that 
country.  Passing  "Frogs"  explained  with  hands  and  body  con- 
tortions that  the  French  and  Belgians  were  treating  Jerry  rather 
roughly,  and  assured  the  Americans  that,  without  doubt,  "La 
Guerre  was  finee."  Everyone  passing  told  the  same  story,  and 
everyone  began  to  believe  that  the  company  was  going  to  be  too 
late  for  the  party.  In  fact,  the  replacements,  who  had  not  ex- 
perienced the  delights  of  a  modern  battle,  began  to  be  a  little 
downcast  and  bitter.  After  a  march  of  about  four  kilometers 
the  outfit  went  into  camp  under  pup  tents,  west  of  Westroose- 
beke  and  not  far  from  the  city  of  Roulers.  There  Lieutenants 
Walton  and  Hasenjaeger  joined  the  company  and  Lieut.  Blake 
was  transferred  to  the  363rd  Infantry.  This  country  was  flat 
and  wet,  and  had  no  woods  that  amounted  to  anything.  The 
men  raided  the  turnip  patches  and  feasted  on  the  fresh  vege- 
tables. The  unburied  dead  of  both  sides  showed  that  the  battle 
had  swept  rapidly  over  this  area.  The  91st  Division  was  the 
first  of  the  American  troops  that  the  Belgian  people  had  seen 
and  they  welcomed  it  with  a  heartiness  that  was  refreshing. 

On  the  morning  of  the  25th  the  company  dropped  tents, 
rolled  packs  and  marched  off.  The  route  led  around  Roulers 
and,  after  a  hike  of  twelve  kilometers,  camp  was  pitched  in  the 
turnip  fields  east  of  Donhecher.  All  of  this  time  the  company 
was  attempting  to  outfit  for  action.  Day  and  night  requisitions 
were  being  made  out,  until  the  Supply  Sergeants  were  dizzy. 
Here  is  a  typical  scene : 

Lieut.   Millan — Sergeant  Works,  have  the  company  fall  in. 

Sergeant  Works — Yes  sir.  (The  sergeant  goes  down  the 
company  street  and  shouts) — Everybody  outside.  Fall  in. 

(Supply  Sergeant  Wynne,  followed  by  Corporal  McGowan, 
both  ladened  with  papers,  appear  upon  the  scene.) 

Sergeant  Wynne — (In  stentorian  tones) — All  men  who 
have  but  one  undershirt  step  two  paces  forward.  (Entire  com- 
pany smartly  steps  two  paces  to  the  front,  with  the  exception 
of  one  man — Private  Ballotti.) 

Sergeant  Wynne — Ballotti,  how  many  shirts  have  you? 


86  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


Private  Ballotti — I  no  gotta  da  shirt. 
Sergeant  Wynne — What  became  of  it? 
Private  Ballotti — Throw  him  away  lasta  week. 
Sergeant  Wynne — What  did  you  do  that  for? 
Private   Ballotti — Too   stiff.      No   get   him   on.      Wear   him 
too  long. 

Sergeant  Wynne — Step  forward.  After  this  hang  onto  your 
shirt. 

On  October  28th  came  another  move.  The  march  began 
at  7  :30  a.  m.  and  at  2  p.  m.  the  company  arrived  at  Emelghem- 
Dam,  a  suburb  of  the  city  of  Iseghem,  after  a  march  of  twelve 
kilometers.  There  the  men  went  into  billets.  As  the  company 
marched  in,  Belgian  boys  and  girls  standing  along  the  roadside 
handed  the  men  turnips.  That  night  was  heard  the  interrupted 
hum  of  aeroplane  motors — Jerry  was  overhead.  The  planes  came 
close  down  and  dropped  bombs  on  the  town  but  did  no  damage. 
However,  the  occasion  produced  some  excitement  and  made  the 
men  anxious  to  get  after  the  Hun  again.  Besides  the  high  ex- 
plosive Jerry  dropped  peace  propaganda  leaflets  over  the  area. 
Being  on  French  rations  the  men  were  not  getting  their  issue 
of  tobacco.  "Bull"  was  scarce  and  everyone  was  suffering  for 
want  of  "the  makings."  Many  a  sigh  was  heaved  over  the  fact 
that  the  supply  of  the  prison  camp  at  Pagny  sur  Meuse  was  not 
on  hand.  However,  the  company  was  back  in  its  old-time  form 
and  working  like  clockwork.  The  entire  outfit  could  be  wakened 
at  5  a.  m.,  eat  breakfast,  police  up,  roll  packs  and  be  under  way 
by  6 :30,  with  no  confusion  or  delay.  Every  man  was  on  his 
toes ;  discipline  was  good,  and  spirits  were  high.  At  every 
opportunity  the  men  were  drilled  to  keep  them  toned  up  for 
what  was  ahead. 

About  6  p.  m.  on  October  29th  the  first  battalion  pulled  out 
for  the  front.  Rumor  had  it  that  the  2nd  Battalion  was  to  go 
immediately,  but  it  was  past  midnight  before  orders  came  and 
it  did  not  move  until  7  a.  m.  on  the  30th.  These  orders  meant 
going  into  action.  Every  man  hit  the  road  with  a  cheerful  grin 
on  his  face.  Spirits  were  bubbling  over  and  good  natured  rail- 
lery passed  up  and  down  the  ranks.  The  company  acted  with 
the  confidence  of  veterans  and  one  could  see  that  the  Argonne 
experience  had  left  a  deep  impression.  After  a  march  of  eleven 
kilometers  the  regiment  went  into  hiding  near  Wielsbeke.  On 
the  way  the  outfit  passed  battery  after  battery  of  artillery  going 
up  for  action,  and  some  tired  and  mud-stained  French  troops 
coming  back.  The  company  pulled  into  an  apple  orchard  on  a 
large  Belgian  estate  and  stayed  there  until  dark.  Issuing  of 
ammunition,  signal  supplies  and  reserve  rations,  with  cleaning 
or  rifles  and  pistols,  took  up  the  afternoon.  About  7  p.  m.  the 
battalion  marched  out  in  column  of  squads. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    IXF.  87 


XXII.     THE   BATTLE  OF  YPRES-LYS. 

"It's  a  long  way  to  Berlin,  but  we'll  get  there, 

Uncle  Sam  will  slwzi.1  the  way, 

Over  the  line,  then  across  the  Rhine, 

Shouting  Hip!  Hip!  Hooray! 

We'll  sing  Yankee  Doodle  'Under  the  Linden' 

With  some  real  live  Yankee  Pep! Hep! 

It's  a  long  way  to  Berlin,  but  we'll  get  there, 
And  I'm  on  my  way,  by  heck,  by  heck." 

(It's  a  Long  Way  to  Berlin.) 

As  the  company  marched  up  the  Wielsbeke-Kauwenbeek- 
Gayerken  road,  every  man  sensed  the  impending  battle.  Stretch- 
ing on  either  side  were  cleverly  concealed  French  batteries,  with 
their  crews  in  readiness  to  hurl  death  and  destruction  over  our 
heads  at  the  enemy.  It  was  a  black  night  and  the  Huns  sus- 
picioned  the  impending  attack.  They  searched  out  the  roads 
with  their  shells,  and  the  column  was  changed  from  fours  to 
twos,  with  as  much  distance  between  men  as  was  possible.  As 
usual,  no  one  seemed  to  know  the  destination,  but  rumor  said 
that  the  attack  would  begin  at  dawn. 

The  column  felt  its  way  thru  the  darkness,  halting  every 
few  hundred  yards  while  the  road  ahead  was  reconnoitered.  Gas 
was  encountered,  for  Jerry  was  mixing  gas  with  H.  E.  As  the 
column  advanced  the  shelling  became  heavier,  and  gas  alarms 
more  frequent.  It  was  difficult  to  don  the  gas  masks  in  the  dark 
and  the  alarms  caused  long  halts.  The  order  "Xo  gas"  would 
come  from  the  head  of  the  column  and  then  the  forward  move 
would  commence.  A  salvo  of  three  H.  E.  shells  hit  the  road 
about  two  hundred  yards  ahead  of  "E"  Company  and  inflicted 
heavy  casualties  on  "L"  and  "M"  Companies,  who  were  leading 
the  regiment.  The  shells  hit  squarely  on  the  road  and  killed 
thirteen  and  wounded  forty-five  men.  It  looked  as  tho  all  would 
have  to  take  to  the  turnip  fields  for  shelter.  However,  the  road 
was  cleared  of  the  dead  and  wounded,  and  the  column  again 
crept  along. 

About  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  regiment  split  and 
the  2nd  Battalion  "dug  in"  in  a  turnip  field  south  of  the  village 
of  Spitaal.  Hardly  had  the  men  finished  their  funk-holes  when 
it  was  discovered  that  the  battalion  was  in  the  wrong  area. 
"F,"  "G"  and  "H"  Companies  were  moved  and  "E"  was  ordered 
to  wait  until  a  guide  could  be  sent  back  to  lead  them  into  proper 
position.  After  waiting  until  2 :30  a.  m.  Lieut.  Millan  decided 
to  start  out  and  find  the  battalion  P.  C.  He  located  that  battalion 
about  a  mile  down  the  road  and  returned  to  lead  the  company  ^ 
into  its  new  position.  Again  they  were  in  a  turnip  field  and 
again  the  men  had  to  make  the  dirt  fly.  The  shovel  was  \ 
mightier  than  the  sword  that  night  "F"  Company  was  in  a 
field  across  the  road  and  was  heavily  shelled.  Jerry  began  to 
search  the  fields  around  "E"  Company  with  shells  of  all  sizes, 
but  luck  was  with  the  company  that  night  and  there  were  no 
casualties.  Sergeants  Works  and  Jones  had  dug  themselves  a 


88  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


long  shallow  hole  on  the  edge  of  the  field.  During  the  shelling 
both  of  them  were  kissing  the  dirt.  Fritzie  sent  over  a  "big 
one"  which  landed  with  a  dull  "plup"  about  fifteen  feet  away 
from  the  Works-Jones  fortifications.  Everyone  in  the  near 
vicinity  held  their  breaths  for  the  space  of  a  minute,  but  noth- 
ing happened — it  was  a  "dud."  Then  with  the  expulsion  of  a 
long-held  breath,  Works'  voice  was  heard  to  issue  from  the 
depths  of  the  trench — "Jones>  if  that  d —  -  thing  had  gone  off 
there'd  been  Works  smeared  all  over  this  turnip  field." 

About  5  a.  m.  on  October  31st  our  barrage  started  with  a 
tremendous  roar.  Then  it  was  discovered  that  the  battalion 
was  but  a  short  distance  in  front  of  the  guns.  It  was  a  wonder- 
ful barrage.  As  far  as  eye  could  see  guns  flashed  and  roared. 
Day  was  just  breaking — it  was  dark  enough  to  see  the  flash 
and  yet  light  enough  to  see  the  guns.  Not  far  from  the  bat- 
talion position  was  a  French  battery  of  75's  and  every  man  was 
filled  with  admiration  over  the  way  the  artillerymen  worked 
their  pieces.  The  guns'  crews  were  adepts  in  feeding  shells 
into  the  breeches  of  the  rifles.  The  presence  of  the  guns  was 
a  comfort,  for  all  knew  that  with  proper  artillery  support  the 
battle  was  half  won. 

The  action  that  day  was  a  pinching  movement.  The  91st 
Division  was  driving  toward  Audenarde  on  the  Scheldt  River. 
Before  the  364th  Infantry  lay  Spitaals  Bosschen  (The  Woods  of 
Spitaal).  The  181st  Brigade  was  to  advance  on  the  right  of  the 
woods,  while  the  363rd  Infantry  was  to  go  forward  on  the  left. 
The  plan  was  to  encircle  Spitaals  Bosschen  and  to  capture  all 
of  the  Boche  hidden  within  its  depths  and  manning  the  trenches 
and  machine  gun  emplacements  concealed  there.  A  creeping 
barrage  covered  the  whole  of  the  Division  front,  excepting  that 
part  occupied  by  the  woods.  Along  the  edge  of  the  woods  a  fixed 
barrage  of  smoke  shells  was  laid,  to  screen  the  advance  of  the 
attacking  force  from  the  enemy.  Jerry  met  the  attack  with  ma- 
chine gun  and  artillery  fire.  Both  Brigades  met  with  heavy  fire 
from  concealed  positions  in  Spitaals  Bosschen,  but  the  181st 
suffered  more,  for  it  was  enfiladed  by  both  artillery  and  machine 
guns  from  the  heights  west  of  Haantjeshoek.  The  363rd  gained 
its  objective  with  greater  ease  and  fewer  casualties. 

The  2nd  Battalion  was  in  the  Division  reserve,  so  did  not 
get  into  the  push.  It  laid  "doggo"  in  fox  holes  until  a  hot  break- 
fast was  served  from  the  rolling  kitchens,  which  had  come  up 
during  the  night.  After  breakfast  orders  to  move  forward  were 
received  and  the  battalion  started  cross-country  with  "E"  and 
"F"  Companies  leading,  each  in  line  of  platoons,  with  "G"  and 
"H"  Companies  following  at  a  distance  of  about  three  hundred 
yards.  The  companies  advanced  steadily  until  noon,  without 
drawing  fire,  and  reached  the  point  where  the  1st  Battalion  had 
assembled  for  the  attack  that  morning.  There  orders  were  re- 
ceived to  affect  a  passage  of  lines,  which  were  somewhat  disor- 
ganized by  the  stiff  resistance  they  had  encountered.  The  mis- 
sion of  the  second  battalion  was  to  "mop  up"  the  woods  and 
take  any  prisoners  whose  retreat  had  been  pinched  off  by  the 
encircling  movement. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF. 


Spitaals  Bosschen  was  about  a  mile  to  the  front  when  the 
orders  were  received.  It  was  necessary  to  cross  a  wide  valley  to 
reach  it.  "E"  and  "F"  Companies  were  ordered  to  deploy  with 
interval  enough  between  men  to  enable  the  two  companies 
to  cover  a  front  of  one  kilometer.  "G"  and  "H"  Companies 
were  to  follow  in  platoon  columns  at  a  distance  of  three  hun- 
dred meters.  The  companies  deployed  with  some  confusion, 
for  it  was  difficult  to  estimate  how  far  "F"  Company  should 
march  before  deploying.  However,  the  line  was  soon  formed 
and  the  advance  started,  tho  a  gap  of  half  a  kilometer  appeared 
between  the  two  front  line  companies,  due  to  the  fact  that  the 
orders  issued  to  "F"  Company  were  somewhat  hazy. 

The  line  advanced  slowly,  as  it  was  difficult  to  preserve 
alignment  with  such  a  wide  front.  The  intervals  between  the 
men  were  about  fifteen  yards,  and,  with  only  three  officers,  the 
line  was  hard  to  control.  Every  moment  was  expected  to  draw 
fire  from  the  enemy.  After  going  forward  about  a  mile,  with- 
out a  shot  being  fired  the  second  battalion  passed  thru  the 
remnants  of  the  first  battalion  and  became  the  front  line  of  the 
regiment.  The  woods  were  reached  about  3  p.  m.  and,  with- 
out changing  formation,  the  companies  plunged  in.  The  only 
Germans  discovered  were  dead,  and  all  began  to  wonder  where 
the  enemy  had  gone.  It  was  learned  that  the  smoke  screen 
thrown  over  by  our  artillery  to  protect  the  flanks  of  the  attack- 
ing force  had  not  been  sufficiently  dense.  The  Germans  had 
been  able  to  enfilade  our  advancing  troops  in  their  attempt  to 
encircle  the  woods  and  then  escape  before  the  pinch  came.  Jerry 
had  "parted,"  leaving  everything  behind  him. 

The  advance  was  steady  until  dusk.  Then  the  battalion 
reached  the  heights  on  the  southeasterly  edge  of  the  woods  over- 
looking a  broad  valley,  with  the  village  of  Wortegem  about  four 
kilometers  directly  in  front.  There  orders  were  given  to  dig  in 
for  the  night.  "E"  and  "F"  Companies  constituted  the  front  line 
and  dug  shallow  trenches  along  the  summit  of  the  ridge,  over- 
looking the  valley.  Outposts  were  established  and  all  settled 
down  to  wonder  where  the  other  American  troops  were  located 
and  where  the  enemy  had  flown.  Patrols  to  the  right,  tho  they 
traveled  over  a  mile,  could  find  none  of  our  troops  on  that  flank, 
which,  from  all  indications,  was  wide  open  and  hung  in  the  air. 
On  the  left  connection  was  made  with  the  363rd  Infantry  and 
the  gap  between  them  and  the  364th  was  closed.  Strong  outposts 
were  established  on  the  right  flank  and  during  the  night  a  ma- 
chine gun  company  and  a  battery  of  37mm  guns  reinforced  the 
battalion.  As  the  company  had  marched  almost  steadily  for 
two  days  and  a  night  without  sleep  the  men  who  were  not  on 
guard  were  soon  lost  in  dead  slumber.  It  rained  lightly  during 
the  early  part  of  the  night  and  the  Hun  artillery  shelled  the 
position,  but  all  were  too  tired  to  worry  over  the  rain  or  shells. 
The  men  were  well  dug  in  and  the  company  suffered  no  casual- 
ties. 

About  3  a.  m.  in  the  midst  of  a  heavy  shelling  the  cooks 
came  up  with  hot  stew  and  coffee.  They  had  left  the  kitchens 


90  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


at  the  point  of  departure  of  the  morning  and  brought  the  con- 
tainers up  in  the  supply  carts.  Although  everyone  was  dead 
asleep,  they  roused  up  readily  to  eat  "slum  and  coffee.'"'  Cooks 
Ross  and  Vivrett,  who  brought  the  chow  up  under  fire,  were  the 
heroes  of  the  night.  Dawn  of  November  1st  broke  and  everyone 
awoke  with  the  expectancy  of  going  forward.  But  orders  were 
to  hold  the  position.  From  the  vantage  point  of  the  fox  holes 
on  the  heights  no  trace  of  the  enemy  could  be  seen  and  no  one 
had  any  idea  of  what  had  happened.  The  shelling  ceased  with 
daylight,  but  everyone  was  required  to  stay  under  cover,  for  the 
position  could  be  observed  for  miles.  About  nine  o'clock  the 
front  line  companies  were  ordered  back  to  the  reverse  slope  of 
the  ridge.  Then  the  men  realized  that  our  troops  were  ahead 
of  us,  and  later  reports  reached  us  that  they  had  captured  the 
town  of  Wortegem,  which  could  be  seen  in  the  distance.  The 
company  moved  back  about  two  hundred  yards  and  dug  in  amid 
some  brush  on  the  reverse  slope,  where  they  were  concealed 
from  observation  of  enemy  planes.  It  was  then  learned  that 
the  battalion  had  again  been  placed  in  the  Divisional  reserve, 
with  the  first  battalion  for  company. 

There  "E"  Company  lay  all  of  the  first  and  thru  daylight 
of  the  second  of  November.  On  the  first  the  day  was  spent  in 
watching  observation  balloons  and  eating  turnips,  and  most  in- 
teresting of  all,  watching  squadron  upon  squadron  of  British 
and  French  aeroplanes  moving  back  and  forth  above  our  lines. 
The  rolling  kitchens  came  up  and  served  hot  chow  and  the  men 
felt  the  better  for  warm  food  and  full  stomachs.  The  remainder 
of  the  Division  was  advancing  toward  Audenarde  and  the 
Scheldt  River,  but  the  folks  at  home  knew  more  about  the  war 
than  the  men  in  the  reserve.  During  the  night  Jerry  enter- 
tained the  reserve  with  two  air  raids  and  some  artillery  strafing, 
but  everyone  had  a  good  sleep  just  the  same.  During  the  clay 
of  the  2nd  there  were  constant  rumors  but  no  orders  to  move. 
The.  men  rested,  shaved  and  scraped  the  mud  off  their  shoes, 
clothes  and  faces. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  orders  came  for  the  battalion  to  move, 
but  it  did  not  start  until  11  p.  m.  Then  the  regiment  moved  out 
in  the  direction  of  Wortegem.  During  the  march  orders  were 
received  to  cross  the  Scheldt  River  before  daybreak  and  take  up 
the  attack.  According  to  the  maps  the  Scheldt  was  about  ten 
kilometers  from  the  position  at  Spitaals  Bosschen.  Owing  to 
the  numerous  halts  and  delays,  day  began  to  dawn  before  the 
regiment  reached  the  river.  Colonel  Bennett,  after  hasty  recon- 
naissance, found  that  only  one  small  foot  bridge  was  intact  and 
decided  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  make  the  crossing  with- 
out heavy  losses.  The  Germans  occupied  the  heights  beyond 
the  river  and  had  direct  fire  on  all  approaches  and  river  cross- 
ings. During  the  march  the  men  were  treated  to  a  wonderful 
exhibition  pyrotechnics.  The  Boche  literally  kept  the  sky  alight 
with  rockets  and  star  shells.  It  was  a  beautiful  sight.  Red, 
green,  yellow  and  all  the  colors  of  the  rainbow  were  used  to 
illuminate  and  signal,  and,  as  the  column  neared  the  river,  the 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    IXF.  91 

put-put-put-put  of  machine  guns  could  be  constantly  heard. 
AYith  the  crashing  of  artillery  and  the  bursting  of  shells  it 
wanted  but  the  odor  of  Chinese  punk  to  remind  the  men  of 
the  Fourth  of  July  at  home. 

Daylight  of  November  3rd  found  the  company  halted  on 
the  road  near  the  village  of  Ruybroek.  The  country  was  flat  and, 
if  the  morning  had  been  clear,  the  column  could  have  been 
clearly  seen  by  the  enemy  from  the  heights  across  the  river. 
There  was  no  available  cover  at  hand  and  a  heavy  fog  was  all 
that  saved  the  regiment  from  a  heavy  shelling.  When  it  was 
discovered  that  the  crossing  of  the  river  could  not  be  made  the 
regiment  was  hurriedly  marched  to  the  area  east  of  Oycke  and 
near  the  river.  The  companies  quickly  went  into  hiding  in 
every  available  farm  house  and  barn  in  the  vicinity.  By  the 
time  the  fog  lifted  the  whole  regiment  was  under  cover.  Boche 
planes  were  overhead  all  day  and  no  man  dared  to  leave  his 
shelter  for  fear  of  drawing  artillery  fire.  Most  of  the  regiment 
were  unable  to  find  cover  in  houses  and  lay  in  fox  holes,  but 
"E''  Company  held  to  its  luck  and  had  shelter  in  barn  and  farm 
house.  There  was  little  food  that  day.  Preparations  were  made 
to  cross  the  river  during  the  night,  and  every  man  expected  to 
"jump  off"  the  next  morning  to  attack  Fort  Kezel,  a  former  Bel- 
gian stronghold  on  the  heights  overlooking  Audenarde. 

Night  brought  different  orders.  The  364th  was  not  to  cross 
the  Scheldt,  nor  to  take  part  in  an  attack.  Instead,  the  Division 
was  withdrawn  from  its  position  along  the  river  and  darkness 
found  the  regiment  on  the  road  back  to  Spitaals  Bosschen.  On 
the  morning  of  November  4th  "E"  Company  was  occupying  the 
same  holes  that  it  had  dug  on  November  1st.  All  gave  up  the 
idea  of  participating  in  another  real  battle.  At  noon  the  regi- 
ment again  took  up  the  march  to  the  rear.  It  was  learned  that 
the  Division  had  been  relieved  for  "rest"  and  that  the  objective 
was  the  village  of  Abeel,  north  of  Oostroosebeke.  This  had 
been  a  bloodless  battle  for  "E"  Company.  Tho  under  almost 
continual  shell  fire  from  October  31st  not  a  man  had  been  lost. 
The  Division  .held  itself  in*  high  esteem,  for  it  had  learned  that 
the  German  commander  had  offered  eighteen  days'  leave  of 
absence  to  any  man  capturing  a  prisoner  from  the  91st  Division. 
Besides  that  compliment  from  the  enemy,  the  Division  felt  that 
they  were  proven  "shock  troops,"  for  they  had  driven  the 
Boche  back  about  thirteen  miles  in  four  days. 

The  company  slept  in  the  rain  on  the  night  of  the  4th,  but 
on  the  morning  of  November  5th  the  men  moved  back  a  mile 
into  billets  which  were  fairly  comfortable.  Resting  consisted 
of  four  days  of  hard  and  intensive  training.  Automatic  rifle 
ranges  were  constructed  and  firing  practice  taken  up.  Bombing 
squads  were  put  thru  their  paces ;  close  order  drill,  the  first  in 
many  a  day,  was  taken  up,  and  every  effort  was  made  to  get 
the  regiment  into  its  former  "snappy"  form.  Rumor  and  uncer- 
tain news  filtered  thru.  From  what  was  heard  it  seemed  the 
war  would  be  over  in  a  very  short  time.  It  was  rumored  that 
Austria  had  given  up.  There  was  the  report  that  the  Germans 


92  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


had  asked  for  an  armistice  and  had  crossed  the  lines  under  a  flag 
of  truce.  Nothing  was  official,  but  none  doubted  the  truth  of 
the  stories,  and  a  thrill  of  exhiliration  swept  thru  the  regiment. 
Tho  all  wanted  another  crack  at  Fritz,  all  were  perfectly  willing 
that  peace  should  be  declared.  Private  Joyner  announced  that 
they  had  his  permission  to  call  the  whole  thing  off  at  any  time. 
Then  news  came  that  the  Division  was  to  move  again  and  that  it 
was  destined  for  Italy.  Then  came  real  orders.  While  in  billets 
those  who  had  left  the  company  at  Vassincourt  for  seven  days' 
leave  caught  up  and  reported  for  duty,  and  some  of  the  men 
who  had  been  sent  to  the  hospital  returned. 

At  9  a.  m.  on  November  8th  the  regiment  was  again  on  the 
road,  with  the  head  of  the  column  pointed  southwest  and  toward 
the  Belgian  battlefront.  It  was  not  going  to  Italy.  There  was 
a  long  noonday  halt  on  the  bank  of  the  Lys  River  near  Olsene. 
After  a  twelve-mile  march  the  regiment  reached  the  village  of 
Oycke  about  dusk  and  found  billets  for  the  night  in  the  sur- 
rounding farm  houses.  The  next  day  was  one  of  sunshine  and 
beauty.  There  was  nothing  to  do  but  rest  and  watch  the  planes 
and  observation  balloons.  News  came  that  Marshal  Foch  had 
given  the  Germans  until  November  llth  to  accept  his  terms. 
The  question  was — would  they  accept  or  fight?  Cook  Ross  bet 
an  iron  cross  (which  he  had  borrowed  from  a  German  prisoner 
at  Pagny  sur  Meuse)  against  one  hundred  francs  of  Private 
Fillippi  that  Jerry  would  not  accept.  Many  wagers  of  a  similar 
character  were  made  among  the  men. 

At  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  November  10th  the 
regiment  marched  out  of  Oycke,  headed  in  the  direction  of 
Audenarde.  Just  before  dawn  a  halt  was  called  and  the  bat- 
talion commanders  went  forward  for  orders.  After  an  hour 
of  anxious  waiting  company  commanders  were  ordered  to  re- 
port. Then  came  the  news  that  we  were  going  to  fight  "toot 
sweet."  The  Germans  had  fallen  back  from  the  river  and  the 
French  had  hastily  thrown  wooden  foot  bridges  across  the 
Escaut  and  followed  in  hot  pursuit.  The  Division  was  ordered  to 
relieve  the  French  division  on  its  front.  Broad  smiles  appeared 
up  and  down  the  column  on  receipt  of  the  news  that  a  fight  was 
pending  and,  tired  as  everyone  was  from  the  hard  march,  a  re- 
markable recovery  of  pep  was  shown. 

Major  Rasch  ordered  "E"  Company  to  report  to  the  third 
battalion,  which  had  already  entered  Audenarde,  as  combat 
liaison  between  the  right  flank  of  the  regiment  front  and  the 
French  forces,  who  were  supposed  to  be  somewhere  on  the 
right  of  the  regiment.  Lieutenant  Millan  went  on  in  advance 
to  report  to  the  C.  O.  of  the  third  battalion  for  orders  and  Lieu- 
tenant Walton  led  the  company,  almost  at  double  time,  thru 
the  streets  of  the  old  city  of  Audenarde.  The  populace  of  the 
city  had  turned  out  to  obtain  their  first  view  of  their  Yankee 
allies.  The  Americans  were  equally  curious  and  took  a  Cook's 
tourist  view  of  the  city  as  they  hastily  marched  thru.  Audenarde 
had  been  pretty  badly  shot  up  but  was  still  beautiful  and 
picturesque.  All  of  the  bridges  had  been  blown  up  by  the  Boche 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    IXF.  93 

and  the  men  crossed  the  Escaut  River  on  hastily  constructed 
and  rickety  wooden  foot  bridges. 

After  crossing  the  river  the  company  fell  in  with  the  third 
battalion.  After  an  hour's  march  in  column  of  squads  the  ad- 
vance formation  was  taken  up  about  8  a.  m.  The  third  battalion 
formed  the  front  line,  deployed  in  platoon  columns,  followed  by 
the  second  battalion  in  support,  with  the  first  battalion  and  ma- 
chine gun  company  in  reserve.  "E"  Company  took  up  posi- 
tion on  the  right  of  the  third  battalion  and  began  to  scout  around 
for  the  "Frogs,"  who  were  supposed  to  be  on  our  immediate 
right.  Patrols  sent  out  far  to  the  right  could  not  locate  the 
French  forces ;  no  one  knew  where  they  were.  Sergeant  Works 
remarked  that  "as  usual  the  Frogs  have  relieved  themselves." 
The  company  was  deployed  in  platoon  columns  and  the  line 
of  march  lay  over  ploughed  fields  and  turnip  patches.  Orders 
were  to  maintain  an  interval  of  four  hundred  yards  from  the 
right  flank  company  of  the  third  battalion.  It  was  a  hard  task. 
The  line  swayed,  swung  and  staggered  like  a  Frenchman  full  of 
cognac.  One  minute  "I"  Company  would  jam  up  against  "E," 
and  fifteen  minutes  later  Lieutenant  Millan  would  be  compelled 
to  send  out  runners  to  locate  the  battalion.  After  about  an  hour 
of  advancing  the  line  suddenly  halted  and,  without  anyone 
knowing  any  reason,  and  without  encountering  the  enemy,  the 
whole  outfit  about-faced  and  zig-zagged  back  to  the  starting 
point.  Owing  to  some  misunderstanding  with  the  French  we 
had  been  ordered  back. 

About  noon  the  advance  was  resumed.  During  the  after- 
noon the  German  artillery  maintained  a  desultory  fire,  but  no 
losses  were  suffered  by  the  first  line  companies.  The  village  of 
Hoorebeke  St.  Marie  was  reached  about  dusk  and  a  halt  was 
called.  The  entire  organization  sank  to  the  ground  in  utter  ex- 
haustion on  the  order  to  halt.  Then — whiz-z-z  bang,  whiz-z-z 
bang,  whiz-z-,  bang — Fritz  opened  up  with  direct  fire  at  close 
range.  Exhaustion  was  forgotten.  Every  man  took  to  cover 
without  orders  or  thought  of  the  fatigue  that  had  overpowered 
him  but  a  moment  before.  However,  no  one  was  hit.  "E"  Com- 
pany "dug  in"  along  the  fence  line  of  a  prosperous-looking 
orchard.  Fox  holes  finished,  the  men  unlimbered  the  iron  ra- 
tions. Darkness  fell;  and  the  sounds  of  heavy  breathing  told  the 
story  of  rest  from  exhaustion.  At  9:30  that  night  the  third 
battalion  relieved  the  French,  who  had  dug  some  shallow 
trenches  on  the  front  of  the  regiment.  Officers  were  summoned 
to  the  battalion  P.  C.  and  received  orders  for  attack  at  6  a.  m. 
on  the  morrow. 

All  night  long  French  and  American  artillery  rumbled  into 
position  close  to  the  front  line,  and  prepared  to  turn  dawn  into 
a  fury  of  hell.  The  night  was  comparatively  uneventful.  The 
men  slept  that  dead  sleep  of  utter  fatigue.  The  enemy  was  ner- 
vous and  anxious  and  kept  the  fields  alight  with  star  shells  and 
rockets.  Bursts  of  machine  gun  fire  showed  that  Jerry  was 
fearsome  of  a  surprise  attack.  Shells  dropped  on  the  American 
lines  intermittently  during  the  night,  but  due  to  the  men  being 


94  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


well  dug  in,  there  were  no  casualties.  Groups  of  officers  gath- 
ered in  the  dark  to  discuss  the  situation.  The  next  day  was 
the  llth — what  would  it  bring?  The  long  rumored  armistice 
and  peace,  or  a  continuation  of  battle  and  death  and  suffering? 
All  knew  that  the  Germans  were  beaten  and  ready  to  quit,  but 
would  Foch  let  them  lay  down  without  a  humiliating  defeat? 
German  morale  was  broken,  it  was  only  a  matter  of  days  before 
their  army  would  become  thoroly  demoralized,  but  would  the 
supreme  commander  temporize  with  them?  There  was  much 
argument  as  to  whether  or  not  the  armistice  would  be  signed 
the  next  day,  but  every  one  believed  the  regiment  would  "go 
over"  the  next  morning. 

About  midnight  runners  went  the  rounds  with  orders  for 
company  commanders  to  report  to  the  battalion  P.  C.  The 
assembled  officers  were  told  that  the  hour  of  attack  had  been 
changed  from  6  a.  m.  to  10  a.  m.  That  looked  like  the  beginning 
of  the  end,  and  the  company  C.O's  returned  to  their  companies 
with  smiles  on  their  faces.  "E"  Company  had  been  in  luck 
again  that  night.  "Gopher  billetted"  about  two  hundred  yards 
in  the  rear  of  the  front  line,  it  was  not  called  upon  for  outpost 
duty  and  the  men  had  a  night  of  rest. 


XXIII.     THE  ARMISTICE. 

"I  -want  to  go  home ;  I  want  to  go  home. 

The  bullets  do  whistle,  the  cannons  they  roar, 

I  don't  want  to  go  to  the  trenches  no  more. 

I  want  to  go  over  the  sea, 

Where  the  Alemand  can't  get  at  me. 
Oh,  my!  I'm  to  young  to  die.     I  want  to  go  home." 

(I  Want  To  Go  Home). 

Toward  dawn  on  November  llth  the  men  began  to  rouse. 
Exhaustion  had  passed,  but  the  cold  and  damp  brought  their 
turn  of  misery.  The  new  day  saw  a  change  of  temperament.  All 
had  been  willing  and  glad  to  attack  the  day  before,  but  the  pros- 
pect of  an  attack  in  the  shadow  of  an  armistice  brought  a  change 
of  spirit.  The  prospect  of  useless  Sacrifice  of  American  lives  in 
battle  under  such  impending  conditions  had  no  attractions,  no 
glory,  no  glamor. 

All  men  are  but  human.  Daylight  brought  the  cry  of  "When 
do  we  eat?"  All  eyes  were  turned  toward  the  rear  straining  for 
a  sight  of  the  rolling  kitchens  or  a  detail  with  "slum  containers." 
Reserve  rations  were  exhausted.  Word  had  come  the  night  be- 
fore that  the  kitchens  had  crossed  the  river,  but  where  were 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  95 

they?  The  men  had  had  no. hot  food  for  two  days;  orders  were 
to  move  into  attack  positions  at  nine  o'clock,  and  it  looked  as 
tho  it  would  be  a  fight  without  food.  Rifles  were  cleaned,  gas 
masks  inspected,  and  grenades  and  ammunition  issued,  but  still 
no  kitchens  came.  Corporal  Bequette  was  heard  to  remark  that 
"if  an  army  traveled  on  its  belly  he  didn't  figure  that  the  com- 
pany was  going  far  that  day."  Some  of  the  men  stole  away 
and  purchased  food  from  the  villagers.  Bugler  Cooke  wrote  in 
his  diary — "Had  breakfast  with  an  old  Belgian  lady — two  eggs 
apiece,  lots  of  milk,  coffee  and  buttered  toast — sure  some  feed — • 
expect  to  attack  at  ten." 

The  allied  artillery  had  opened  fire  at  seven  o'clock.  For 
about  thirty  minutes  it  laid  a  heavy  barrage  on  the  German  posi- 
tions, then  it  eased  up  and  settled  down  to  a  slow  and  regular 
fire.  Jerry  did  not  reply  by  any  fire  on  the  front  of  the  364th 
Infantry.  At  8:15  a.  m.  company  commanders  were  summoned 
to  battalion  headquarters  and  received  information  that  the  at- 
tack would  start  at  ten  o'clock.  Before  they  could  leave  to  re- 
turn to  their  companies  a  message  arrived  from  regimental  head- 
quarters which  changed  the  whole  aspect  of  affairs.  "Attack 
suspended.  Xo  offensive  until  further' orders"  was  the  wording. 
This  was  promptly  followed  by  the  information  that  the  armis- 
tice had  been  concluded.  Lieutenant  Millan  hastened  back  to 
the  company  and  assembled  the  non-coms.  In  a  few  words  he 
told  them  that  there  would  be  no  attack  and  that  the  armistice 
had  been  signed  and  would  be  effective  at  11  o'clock. 

It  took  many  seconds  for  them  to  absorb  the  fact  that  all 
was  over,  then  a  yell  went  up  that  brought  the  rest  of  the  com- 
pany to  the  spot  on  the  run.  Soon  every  one  knew  that  "La 
Guerre"  was  "finee."  On  the  whole  the  men  took  the  news  in  a 
matter  of  fact  manner,  and  outside  of  a  little  horseplay  and  a 
few  whoops  here  and  there  no  one  would  have  guessed  that 
they  had  just  heard  the  news  which  set  the  whole  world  delir- 
ious with  joy.  They  were  more  concerned  with  things  closer  to 
their  personal  comfort.  "Say,  Lieutenant,  when  do  we  eat?" 
was  the  query  of  several  immediately  following  the  receipt  of 
the  great  news.  This  query  was  followed  by  a  wild  howl  from 
the  far  end  of  the  orchard,  and  followed  further  by  Private 
Embanks  approaching  at  a  2:20  gait  yelling  the  news  that  the 
rolling  kitchens  were  in  sight  down  the  road.  All  discussion  of 
war  and  the  armistice  ceased  immediately  and  a  wild  scramble 
for  the  road  ensued.  When  the  company  kitchen,  followed  by 
Sergeant  Orcurto  and  Cooks  Ross,  Vivrett,  Strader  and  Thomas 
bumped  and  clanked  into  sight,  a  cheer  went  up  that  made  the 
reception  of  the  armistice  news  appear  insignificant. 

The  mess  crew  told  a  story  of  grief — of  traveling  all  night — 
of  being  lost  and  held  up  several  times.  However,  the  fires  were 
built  in  a  twinkling  and  soon  savory  odors  arose  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  kitchen.  There  was  no  shortage  of  K.P's — everyone 
wanted  to  help  the  cooks.  Nothing  but  food  was  discussed  for 
the  next  half  hour.  Then  the  chow  line  formed  and  hot  slum 
and  coffee  stopped  all  discussion.  When  the  last  man  had  his 


96  THE   "WAR   BOOK" 


"seconds'*  and  washed  his  mess  kit  the  talk  swung  around  to 
the  armistice  again — but  not  with  any  great  expression  of 
gratitude  for  safety.  Two  other  important  questions  had  to  be 
solved  after  stomachs  had  been  filled — "When  do  we  sleep?" 
and  "When  do  we  go  home?" 

Most  of  the  artillery  ceased  firing  when  the  news  of  the 
armistice  was  spread,  but  somewhere  in  the  distance  scattered 
French  75's  continued  to  fire  fitfully  until  the  hour  of  eleven  was 
near  at  hand,  then,  one  by  one  they  subsided.  It  seemed  as  tho 
each  gun  crew  wanted  the  distinction  of  firing  the  last  shot,  or 
was  reluctant  to  cease  the  hating  of  years.  Then  followed  a 
great  calm.  Not  the  sound  of  a  gun,  the  crack  of  a  rifle,  the 
put-put-put  of  a  machine  gun,  nor  the  whir  of  an  aeroplane 
motor  could  be  heard.  This  quiet  of  peace  brought  the  first 
realization  of  how  eventful  that  morning  was.  Then,  and  not 
until  then,  did  the  men  appreciate  that  the  war  had  been  won, 
that  they  had  had  a  part  in  the  winning,  that  no  longer  would 
they  be  required  to  face  the  whine  of  bullets  and  the  whizz-iss- 
bang  of  H.  E.  shells,  that  they  were  facing  life  in  place  of  death, 
and  that  they  would  soon  go  back  to  "God's  country."  With 
this  appreciation  the  usual  light-hearted  gaiety  of  the  men  dis- 
appeared temporarily.  With  the  realization  of  what  the  armis- 
tice really  meant  came,  for  the  time,  an  awe  of  thankfulness  and 
seriousness  of  introspection.  This  spell  of  seriousness  was  some- 
what further  intensified  by  the  arrival  of  the  mail  which  brought 
news  of  "home."  The  French  and  Belgians  were  not  touched 
with  this  sense  of  seriousness.  They  sang  and  laughed  with  a 
sense  of  abandon  which  had  not  been  their  lot  since  1914. 

The  regiment  was  ordered  into  billets.  "E"  Company  was 
squeezed  into  three  small  barns  of  a  farm  at  Hoorbeke  St.  Marie, 
but,  as  the  men  had  plenty  of  straw  no  one  kicked  after  the 
nights  spent  in  the  mud  and  fox  holes.  Then  came  the  welcome 
news  that  "tin  derbies"  and  gas  masks  could  be  discarded.  There 
came  a  swarm  of  orders  from  regimental  and  divisional  head- 
quarters, and  the  orderly  room  was  swamped  with  them.  Ser- 
geant Schwertfeger  gazed  dismally  at  a  stock  of  G.O's  and 
S.O's  and  sadly  remarked  that,  while  many  had  the  opinion  that 
the  Y.M.C.A.  and  the  M.P's  had  won  the  war,  in  his  opinion  it 
was  the  mimeograph  and  nothing  else.  There  were  two  days 
of  comparative  rest  for  the  men.  Then  came  a  drill  schedule. 
The  company  was  given  a  stiff  dose  of  close  order  drill,  which 
was  not  welcome  and  had  nearly  become  a  lost  art — however,  it 
brought  back  a  sense  of  snap  and  discipline. 

On  November  15th  the  company  was  ordered  to  join  the 
rest  of  the  battalion.  The  entire  battalion  was  billeted  in  a  large 
convent  which  made  quarters  somewhat  crowded.  Two  squads 
of  "E"  Company  occupied  a  small  chapel  in  one  of  the  wings 
of  the  convent,  but  the  sanctity  of  the  surroundings  had  no  ef- 
fect in  reducing  the  hilarious  spirit  of  the  men.  Psihogious 
opened  a  barber  shop  in  the  chapel  and  soon  the  long  neglected 
locks  began  to  be  shorn.  Lieutenant  Millan  was  much  wrought 
up  when  he  found  the  altar  being  used  as  a  shelf  for  barber  tools. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  97 

He  ordered  barber  and  customers  into  the  hallway.  Thereafter 
the  altar  was  out  of  bounds  for  everything  but  sleeping  pur- 
poses. Bugler  Cooke  and  some  of  his  pals  occupied  a  confes- 
sional room,  and  rumor  has  it  that  the  sacred  precincts  of  that 
place  saw,  for  the  first  time,  quiet  games  of  "draw"  and  "gallop- 
ing dominoes."  How  could  a  stern,  austere  and  aged  European 
convent  curb  the  gaiety  of  American  doughboys?  How  could 
those  trouble-worn  and  tired  nuns  bar  the  "Goddess  Chance" 
when  pay  day  came  to  the  364th? 

On  November  15th  the  regiment  passed  in  review  before 
Major  General  Wm.  H.  Johnston,  who  complimented  the  men 
upon  their  conduct  in  battle  in  the  Meuse-Argonne  and  in  Flan- 
ders. On  the  16th  Captain  Archibald  Sheats  took  command  of 
the  company.  He  had  been  a  lieutenant  in  the  Machine  Gun 
Company  and,  on  receiving  his  double  bars,  had  been  assigned 
to  "F"  Company,  but  on  the  return  of  the  commander  of  that 
Company  had  been  assigned  to  "E." 

Those  first  days  after  the  armistice  were  full  ones.  There 
was  some  drill,  much  cleaning  of  clothing,  persons  and  equip- 
ment, drawing  of  clothing,  salvaging  of  worn-out  and  useless 
material,  and  hunting  out  "seam  squirrels."  Belgian  refugees 
were  continually  drifting  back  and  many  of  them  brought  stories 
of  interest.  Then  on  the  18th  came  a  move  of  ten  kilometers  to 
Audenhove  St.  Marie.  Rumors  came  that  the  regiment  was 
to  go  to  Brussels  as  an  escort  of  the  King  of  Belgium  on  his  re- 
entry. At  Audenhove  the  company  again  occupied  a  convent. 
When  the  regiment  entered  the  town  it  was  greeted  with 
placards — "Welcome  Americans" — and  home-made  American 
flags.  There  was  some  drill  and  a  battalion  parade  and  then, 
on  the  22nd,  the  regiment  marched  again.  Ten  kilos  brought 
the  men  to  Hillegem,  where  the  men  were  billeted  in  barns. 
Then  came  move  after  move,  with  rumor  after  rumor  concern- 
ing where  the  regiment  was  going  and  when  it  was  going  home. 
On  the  23rd  the  company  moved  to  Auwegen,  a  march  of  twenty 
kilometers ;  on  the  26th  it  marched  twenty-five  kilos  to  Meule- 
beke,  where  Thanksgiving  day  was  spent,  without  turkey,  tho 
the  men  did  their  best  by  buying  rabbits  and  other  extras. 

On  December  4th  there  was  a  march  of  eight  kilos  to 
Eeghem ;  on  the  6th  another  of  twenty  kilos  to  Hooglege,  on  the 
7th  the  way  led  thru  "No  Man's  Land"  north  of  Ypres  for  thirty 
kilos  to  Oostvleteren,  and  on  the  8th  a  hike  of  twenty-four  kilos 
took  the  company  to  Herzeele.  These  marches  were  interest- 
ing but  hard.  The  wreather  was  wet  and  cold  and  most  of  the 
men  were  suffering  from  sore  feet.  Each  day's  march  brought 
rumors  but  no  one  seemed  to  know  where  he  was  going.  It 
was  just  one  hike  after  another  with  no  apparent  purpose  in 
view.  While  in  Belgium  the  men  were  received  with  open 
arms,  gratitude  and  hospitality.  Herzeele  was  in  France  and  the 
attitude  of  the  people  there  was  distinctly  antagonistic.  "E" 
billetted  in  a  barn.  The  farmer  did  little  to  promote  a  cordial 
feeling  toward  the  French.  In  spite  of  police  work  the  place 
was  filthy  and  the  men  were  infested  with  cooties  and  fleas.  The 


98  THE   "WAR   BOOK" 


officers  were  just  as  unpopular  as  the  men,  and  the  madam  profi- 
teered on  them  at  every  opportunity. 

The  word  was  out  that  the  91st  Division  was  to  go  to  the 
Le  Mans  area  for  debarkation,  but  delay  after  delay  and  rumor 
after  rumor  made  departure  seem  more  and  more  remote.  There 
was  drill,  drill,  drill  in  the  rain  and  mud  and  cold;  there  was  filth 
and  discomfort.  The  morale  of  the  men  was  broken  by  discom- 
fort, disappointment  and,  what  seemed  to  them,  needlessly  long 
hours  of  drill,  bayonet  work  and  training.  The  war  was  ended 
and  they  wanted  to  go  home  and  be  discharged.  Occasional 
passes  to  Dunkerque  relieved  the  monotony  but  did  not  satisfy, 
cognac  and  wine  afforded  some  forgetfulness  but  brought  pun- 
ishment. Everyone  wanted  to  be  on  his  way.  It  is  no  wonder 
that  some  irreverant  one  conceived  and  wrote  the  Soldier's 
Prayer  of  the  A.  E.  F.,  which  read  somewhat  as  follows  : 

"Our  Father  who  art  in  Washington,  Baker  is  thy  name; 
thy  cables  come,  thy  will  be  done  in  Bordeaux  as  in  Le  Mans. 
Give  us  this  day  our  long-delayed  pay  and  forgive  the  bugler, 
the  mess  sergeant,  the  Y.M.C.A.  and  those  who  wear  bars.  Lead 
us  not  into  the  Army  of  Occupation,  but  deliver  us  from  another 
service  stripe.  For  thine  is  the  army,  the  S.O.S.,  the  M.P's, 
and  the  engineers  forever  and  ever,  Ah  Oui." 

On  December  17th  Captain  Graupner  visited  the  company 
and  stood  his  last  retreat  with  the  organization  he  had  seen 
created,  grow  in  efficiency  and  prove  its  worth.  He  said  his 
good-byes  to  the  men,  for  he  was  "Class  D"  and  bound  for  home. 
Christmas  day  brought  no  cheer  or  extra  chow,  it  seemed  as  tho 
the  outfit  had  been  marooned  and  then  forgotten.  Then  on  the 
29th  came  the  word  that  the  Division  was  to  move.  The  30th 
was  spent  in  packing,  and  at  2  p.  m.  on  the  31st  the  men  bade 
good-by  to  "Hotel  de  Pig1"  and  marched  eight  kilos  to  entrain 
again  on  the  old  8-40's,  bound  for  Le  Ferte  Bernard  and  —  home. 
New  Year's  day  was  spent  on  the  train. 


XXIV.     THE  LA  MANS  AREA  AND  BACK  TO  THE  U.  S. 

"When  Madelon  comes  tripping  to  our  table, 

We  boldly  pluck  her  skirt  as  she  goes  by; 
And  each  one  invents  a  pretty  fable, 

Told  to  win  her  on  the  sly. 
Our  Madelon  is  not  a  surly  beauty, 

So,  when  we  chuck  her  chin  to  lead  her  on, 
She  just  laughs  and  feels  she's  done  her  duty  — 

Madelon  —  Madelon  —  Madelon." 

("Madelon"  —  French  marching  song.) 

On  January  1st,  1919,  at  11  :30  a.  m.,  the  regiment  detrained 
at  La  Ferte  Bernard  in  the  long-prayed-for  "embarkation  area," 
and  was  scattered  among  several  villages  and  towns  for  billet- 
ing. "E"  Company,  with  "F,"  was  assigned  to  the  village  of 
Aveze,  a  place  of  about  two  hundred  inhabitants,  where  the  bil- 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    IXF.  99 

lets  were  fairly  comfortable.  There  the  organization  settled 
down  to  cleaning  and  scrubbing  persons,  clothing  and  equip- 
ment^ It  was  good  to  be  able  to  get  clean  once  more,  but  there 
can  be  too  much  of  a  good  thing.  Orders  came  so  often  and  were 
so  detailed  that  cleanliness  became  burdensome.  Following 
cleaning  up  came  inspection  after  inspection.  Men  who  had 
been  wounded  or  sick  came  back  from  the  hospitals  and  the  com- 
pany again  took  on  the  friendly  family  feeling  that  had  existed 
when  it  arrived  in  France. 

Soon  after  arriving  at  Aveze  the  long-looked-for  leaves  of 
absence  were  granted.  A  large  number  of  the  men  and  officers 
visited  the  various  leave  areas,  but,  alas,  Paris  was  out  of  bounds 
for  the  men.  Fortunately,  however,  all  roads  led  thru  Paris  and 
it  was  a  poor  soldier  who  could  not  work  a  twenty-four  hour  stay 
to  see  some  of  the  sights  of  that  noted  city.  At  Aveze  the  com- 
pany lost  Lieut.  Millan,  the  last  of  the  original  company  officers. 
He  was  transferred  to  regimental  headquarters  as  Assistant 
Personal  Adjutant.  The  story  of  Aveze  is  one  that  can  be  told 
in  few  words — eating,  sleeping,  delousing,  drilling,  standing  in- 
spection, enduring  rain  and  cold,  and,  "keep  it  quiet,"  indulging 
in  cognac,  wine  and  rum. 

On  February  4th  the  company  moved,  by  marching  of 
course,  twelve  kilometers  to  St.  Germain  de  la  Coudre,  where  it 
remained  until  its  departure  for  the  debarkation  port.  There 
the  billets  were  good,  but  not  as  good  as  at  Aveze.  From  there 
the  men  went  on  pass  to  the  nearest  big  town — Nogent  le 
Rotrou.  There  the  men  drilled  and  drilled  and  drilled,  and  cursed 
the  rain,  the  cold,  the  country  and  the  delay  in  going  home.  A 
drill  scheduled  was  followed  every  morning  and  in  the  after- 
noons the  men  were  marched  around  the  roads  solving  problems 
in  field  maneuvers.  These  problems  were  a  hard  drain  on  the 
imagination,  because  the  fields  could  not  be  marched  over  and 
the  troop  movements  were  all  imagined  from  positions  on  the 
roads. 

This  chapter  has  been  headed  with  a  selection  from  the 
familiar  French  marching  song  of  Madelon.  The  conduct  of  the 
men  during  their  last  days  in  France  showed  that  they  had 
absorbed  some  of  the  philosophy  of  the  song — hence  the  quota- 
tion. The  story  goes  that  a  certain  sergeant  of  "E"  Company 
joined  in  a  little  dinner  with  ten  of  the  men.  They  were  on 
pass,  care  free,  and  had  big  appetites  and  some  thirst.  The  din- 
ner was  ordered  with  all  "fixings"  and  appurtenances.  As  the 
dinner  neared  its  end  the  warming  and  friendly  effects  of 
vin  rouge  and  malaga  appeared.  The  sergeant  felt  at  peace  with 
the  world,  he  remembered  Rosie  of  Longchamp  and,  in  that 
memory,  became  enamored  with  the  maid  who  waited  upon 
the  table.  The  spirit  of  "Madelon"  came  over  him  and  he  in- 
sisted upon  kissing-  the  maid,  took  her  remonstrances  as  a  sign 
of  coyness,  and  finally  imprinted  a  kiss  upon  her  Gallic  lips. 
Madamoiselle  did  not  pout  or  cry,  but  demanded  that  the  ser- 
geant pay  her  ten  francs  as  the  price  of  his  osculatory  pleasure. 
"Wine,  food  and  song  had  depleted  the  sergeant's  purse  and  he 


100  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


was  compelled  to  borrow  money  from  the  others  to  pay  the 
angered  damsel. 

After  two  months  of  waiting — cold,  dreary,  impatient 
waiting — came  evidences  that  the  91st  Division  was  to  go 
home.  Service  records  were  checked  up,  passenger  rosters 
made  up,  and  all  equipment  was  checked  and  inspected — then 
came  orders.  On  March  19th  the  company  marched  out  of  St. 
Germaine  for  Le  Ferte  Bernard.  There  it  entrained  in  8-40's 
and,  after  the  customary  bumping  in  the  slow  moving  Frog 
train,  arrived  the  next  day  at  St.  Nazarire  at  7:30  a.  m.  and 
marched  four  miles  to  Camp  No.  3.  There  the  men  had  good 
meals  and  underwent  physical  and  cootie  inspections.  The 
next  morning  the  company  moved  to  the  Isolation  Camp,  where 
the  men  were  ordered  into  "blue  denims"  while  undergoing  the 
final  cleanup.  They  were  bathed,  deloused,  inspected,  checked 
and  re-inspected, — but  no  one  minded  it  there,  for  they  were 
going  home. 

After  four  days'  of  suspense,  when  no  one  dared  josh  or  talk 
back  to  an  M.P.  for  fear  of  being  held  back,  the  organization 
was  on  its  way.  On  March  22nd  orders  came  from  H.  Q.  Em- 
barkation Camp,  Base  Section  No.  1,  for  the  364th  Infantry  to 
embark  on  U.  S.  S.  Siboney  and  Orizaba  for  the  United  States. 
At  4:45  the  next  morning  everyone  was  up  (no  one  was  late 
that  morning),  and  at  7  a.  m.  the  company  marched  to  Dock  No. 
3,  where  chocolate  and  cookies  were  served  by  the  "Y."  At 
8  iney  began  to  march  on  board  the  Orizaba  and  at  12  :30  p.  m. 
the  ship  left  the  dock  with  the  tide — every  man  on  board  cheer- 
ing with  full  heart.  All  were  glad  to  be  going  home — to  be  leav- 
ing France.  No  one  can  describe  the  emotions  which  all  alike 
felt — emotions  which  could  only  be  equalled  by  those  at  the  first 
sight  of  the  U.  S.  A. 

The  transport  Orizaba  was  small  and  cramped  in  compari- 
son with  the  mighty  Olympic,  which  had  taken  the  regiment 
over.  But  bunks  were  comfortable  and  chow  was  good  and,  as 
Corporal  "Sammy"  Goldfeder  remarked — "Boy,  even  a  row  boat 
would  suit  me  this  trip."  There  were  no  events  to  mar  the  trip, 
except  one  day  of  rough  weather,  which  made  many  of  the  men 
seek  the  ship's  rail  or  their  bunks.  There  is  a  story  on  "Top 
Kick"  Works,  which  would  indicate  that  he  had  slipped,  and  the 
results  of  which  marred  his  enjoyment  of  the  trip.  It  is  reported 
that  he  found  Private  1st  Class  Joseph  A.  Ardit  doing  bunk 
fatigue  during  inspection  hours.  Works  decided  that  he  would 
give  a  different  variety  of  fatigue  as  a  punishment,  and  ordered 
Ardit  to  relieve  Joyner  in  washing  dishes  for  the  officers'  mess. 
It  took  Works  about  four  days  to  discover  that  Ardit  had  a 
snap,  and  then  he  sheepily  confessed  to  one  of  the  corporals : 
"D —  -  it!"  I  caught  Ardit  asleep  during  inspection  and  gave 
him  K.  P.  for  punishment.  Washing  dishes  for  the  officers  is  a 
snap  for  him  and  he  gets  chicken,  ice  cream  and  cake  every  day." 
Ardit  tells  the  story  and  says,  "Many  thanks,  Sarge." 

Morning  of  April  2nd  dawned  bright  and  clear.  It  was  the 
dawn  of  a  wonderful  day — the  day  that  the  regiment  was  again 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    LVF." 


to  touch  feet  on  American  soil.  Everyone  was  up  early  and  filled 
with  ill-concealed  nervousness  and  excitement.  Thousands  of 
foolish  questions  were  asked  the  long-suffering  crew,  and  the 
men  paced  the  decks  with  feverish  anxiety.  The  morning 
dragged  like  an  eternity.  Then  came  a  shout  that  brought  every 
man  to  the  railings — "There  she  is!"  In  the  distance  could  be 
seen  the  faint  outlines  of  the  headlands.  Was  anyone  ever 
privileged  to  feel  a  more  soul-stirring,  sacred  feeling  than  that 
which  welled  up  in  the  hearts  of  the  men  when  they  caught  the 
first  glimpse  of  their  native  land — the  country  they  had  fought 
and  suffered  and  longed  for  thru  weary  months  of  bitter  hard- 
ships and  misery?  Words  cannot  describe  that  feeling,  and 
none  but  those  who  went  thru  the  struggle  "over  there7'  will  ever 
be  able  to  appreciate  it. 

Passed  Sandy  Hook  and  Staten  Island;  passed  that  wonder- 
ful colossus  of  Liberty  and  Governor's  Island,  and  the  Orizaba 
drew  into  the  dock  at  Hoboken.  The  tug,  with  the  New  York 
Mayor's  Reception  Committee,  accompanied  the  transport  from 
Staten  Island  to  the  dock,  and  waving  flags  and  band  playing. 
On  the  dock  the  massed  Red  Cross,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  K.  of  C. 
workers  waved  welcome.  At  10  a.  m.  the  ship  docked.  Debarka- 
tion proceeded  in  an  orderly  manner  and  by  noon  the  regiment 
was  assembled  on  the  big  pier  awaiting  transportation  across 
the  river  to  Camp  Upton.  Ferry  boat  to  Long  Island  and  train 
to  Camp  Upton  completed  the  journey.  Nightfall  found  the  men 
in  barracks  once  again.  As  Cal  Cooke  put  it  in  his  diary — "Back 
to  iron  bunks  and  straw  ticks  again — sure  seems  good." 


10J  THE    "WAR    BOOK' 


XXV.     CAMP  UPTON,  CAMP  KEARNY  AND  HOME. 

"Oh  hozv  I  want  to  get  out  of  the  army, 

Oh  how  I  long  to  step  out  of  line, 

But -I  know  I'll  faint  away, 

When  I  hear  the  sergeant  say: 
"  'You're  gonna  go  home, 
You're  gonna  go  home, 
You're  gonna  go  home  in  the  mornin'". 

Oh  Boy!   Won't  I  hug  the  bugler, 

The  last  time  I  hear  his  waking  calif 

I'll  take  that  nice  red  chevron, 

An'  for  good  luck,  just  pin  it  on, 

Then  make  a  dash  on  the  train  for  home." 

(Oh!  Oh!) 

Life  at  Camp  Upton  was  easy  for  all  except  company 
clerks  and  top  kicks.  There  was  exercise  each  morning  and  a 
little  drill  every  afternoon.  Of  course  there  was  the  final  clean- 
ing up,  and  "cootie  baths"  were  enforced.  Passes  were  issued 
allowing  twenty-four  and  forty-eight  hours  in  New  York,  and 
everyone  who  had  sufficient  francs  went  to  see  the  sights  of 
the  big  city.  While  in  camp  the  Hostess  House,  Y.  M.  C.  A., 
K.  C.,  Liberty  Theatre  and  ball  field  afforded  amusement  for 
those  not  on  pass. 

On  debarkation  the  regiment  had  been  divided.  The  second 
battalion  had  been  assigned  to  Camp  Upton,  while  the  remainder 
of  the  regiment,  with  regimental  headquarters,  had  been  sent  to 
Camp  Mills.  This  proved  to  be  the  final  dissolution  of  the  364th 
Infantry,  as  the  units  composing  it  never  assembled  together 
again. 

While  in  France  lists  had  been  prepared  showing  the  resi- 
dence and  nearest  discharge  point  for  every  man  in  the  Division. 
Shortly  after  the  battalion  arrived  at  Camp  Upton  the  men  were 
divided  Into  detachments  designated  for  the  various  demobiliza- 
tion camps  thruout  the  country.  Tho  "E"  Company  had  origin- 
ally been  composed  of  men  from  Southern  California  it  had  by 
assignments  and  replacements  become  an  "All  American"  com- 
pany. When  it  returned  from  France  the  company  roster  bore 
the  names  of  men  from  thirty-two  different  states  of  the  Union. 
It  had  had  twenty-six  officers  and  five  hundred  and  forty  men 
pass  thru  the  organization  during  the  nineteen  months  of  its 
existence.  It  had  become  accustomed  to  seeing  men  come  and 
go  tr  and  from  its  ranks,  but,  when  the  detachments  for  dis- 
charge began  to  leave  for  different  camps  the  thought  of  final 
dissolution  of  the  company  brought  sadness.  One  by  one  and 
day  by  day  the  detachments  were  formed  and  marched  away, 
accompanied  by  the  cheers  and  final  farewells  of  those  left  be- 
hind. Finally,  only  those  whose  homes  were  in  California,  Ari- 
zona and  Nevada  were  left,  and  they  were  destined  for  Camp 
Kearny.  Lieut.  Walton  was  transferred  to  Camp  Sherman 
detachment  and  Lieut.  Hasenjaeger  to  Camp  Grant.  Both  of 
the  officers  were  given  hearty  cheers  as  they  marched  away  with 
their  detachments. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    IXF.  103 

Those  who  were  bound  for  Camp  Kearny  had  a  long  and 
anxious  wait.  Nineteen  days  elapsed  after  debarkation  and  be- 
fore transportation  was  available  to  take  the  remnants  of  the 
battalion  to  the  Camp  at  San  Diego.  On  April  20th  they  en- 
trained. The  road  home  was  by  the  southern  route — thru  New 
Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  South  Carolina,  Georgia  (where 
the  men  had  a  chance  to  see  the  southern  city  of  Atlanta  in 
forty-five  minutes),  Florida,  Alabama,  Louisiana,  Texas,  New 
Mexico  and  Arizona.  The  trip  was  a  fitting  end  to  a  sight- 
seeing tour.  All  along  the  line  the  Red  Cross  girls  handed  out 
"goodies"  and  the  men  reciprocated  with  compliments,  thanks 
and  that  politeness  they  had  acquired  from  the  French.  At 
El  Paso  the  detachment  paraded  for  the  benefit  of  the  towns- 
people, who  reciprocated  with  good  meals,  auto  rides  and  fire- 
water. At  Phoenix,  Arizona,  reporters  for  the  Los  Angeles 
papers  boarded  the  train  to  get  the  news  of  California's  sons  for 
the  home-town  papers.  They  told  of  a  reception  and  parade  in 
Los  Angeles  and  prompt  discharge  at  Camp  Kearny.  The 
morale  of  the  company  promptly  went  up  to  the  boiling  point. 
The  prospect  of  a  parade  with  "tin  derbies"  was  not  pleasant,  but 
the  news  of  home  and  prompt  discharge  overcame  that  one 
disagreeable  feature. 

At  3  p.  m.  on  April  26th  the  train  pulled  into  the  depot  at 
Los  Angeles,  amid  the  cheers  of  thousands  and  the  smiling  tears 
of  welcome  of  many  relatives.  Captain  Graupner  was  on  hand 
with  ex-sergeant  Weston  and  some  of  the  other  wounded  "ex- 
members"  of  "E"  Company  to  greet  those  who  were  left  in  the 
old  outfit.  The  parade  was  promptly  started,  and  the  decorated 
and  thronged  streets  of  Los  Angeles  showed  the  men  that  the 
southern  part  of  their  home  state  was  proud  of  the  regiment. 
The  parade  ended  at  Pershing  Park,  where,  after  a  barrage  of 
oratory,  the  men  were  dismissed  until  midnight. 

At  1  a.  m.  on  April  27th  every  man  was  on  board  the  train 
and  bound  for  Camp  Kearny.  Captain  Graupner  had  gotten 
aboard  to  see  the  company  he  had  organized  and  to  be  with  it 
when  it  dissolved.  There  were  no  A.W.O.L's.  At  6:30  a.  m. 
the  train  arrived  at  Camp  Kearny  and  the  men  were  marched 
away  to  their  tents.  After  chow  things  began  to  move. 
Efficiency  reigned  and  men  were  led  from  one  step  to  another 
with  the  regularity  of  clock  work  and  without  much  rest  or  any 
liberty.  But  no  one  cared.  This  was  the  process  of  demobiliza- 
tion, and  the  faster  the  wheels  went  round  the  sooner  would  come 
discharge,  return  to  civilian  life  and  home.  Already  the  preced- 
ing elements  of  the  regiment  had  been  demobilized.  For  two 
days  life  was  a  succession  of  fall  in  line,  undergo  medical  exam- 
ination, surrender  ordnance,  sign  pay  roll,  discharge  papers, 
etc.,  etc.,  and  then  on  the  29th  of  April,  1919 — ever  memorable 
day — came  pay,  that  sixty-dollar  bonus,  and  DISCHARGE. 
Fini  le  Guerre.  Fini  le  Armee.  Partee  for  home! 

When  the  company  arrived  at  Camp  Kearny,  Captain 
Sheats  was  the  sole  officer  with  the  organization,  before  he  had 
been  there  half  an  hour  the  company  was  taken  off  his  hands  by 


104  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


the  ''mustering  out"  officers  and  all  that  he  had  to  do  was  stick 
around,  be  responsible  for  things  that  had  happened  before,  and 
sign  his  name.  Captain  Graupner  nosed  around  like  a  man 
hunting  for  a  lost  dog.  He  almost  assumed  command  of  the 
company.  However,  the  men  took  all  of  the  wind  out  of  his 
sails.  Steered  by  three  ex-officers  of  the  company,  Lieut.  Bruce, 
Millan  and  McCune,  the  Captain  found  himself  in  the  company 
street  at  dusk  on  the  28th,  with  the  men  in  ranks  under  1st 
Sergeant  Works.  Works  at  once  opened  up  on  the  old  skipper 
and  presented  him,  in  the  name  of  the  men,  with  a  beautiful  dia- 
mond studded  gold  watch  fob.  It  had  been  designed  by  Private 
Shaw  and  embodied  the  insignia  of  the  91st  Division,  the  regi- 
ment, the  company  and  the  branch  of  service.  The  fund  for 
its  purchase  had  been  collected  in  France  and  the  "old  man" 
knew  nothing  about  its  existence  until  the  gift  was  placed  in  his 
hands.  The  Captain's  emotions  were  best  expressed  by  one  of 
the  men  who  said  that  "It  was  the  first  time  the  old  man  had 
not  been  able  to  talk." 

As  soon  as  the  discharges  were  received  by  the  men  they 
began  to  leave  camp.  Some  by  train,  some  by  stage  to  San 
Diego,  and  others  by  automobiles.  All  staggered  under  barracks 
bags  and  some  had  other  baggage,  and  all  had  souvenirs  for 
those  at  home.  When  it  came  to  the  end  the  men  hated  the 
parting.  Close  associations  in  barracks,  billets  and  field  and  the 
sharing  of  hardships  had  brought  fast  friendships.  Buddies  of 
the  ranks  realized  that  it  meant  much  to  sever  the  close  associa- 
tions that  had  been  proven  under  fire  and  had  developed  unselfish 
sharing  of  good  and  bad  fortune.  But  home  and  family  ties 
called,  and  the  men  scattered. 

So  "E"  Company  passed  out  of  existence  and  so  its  mem- 
bers returned  to  civil  life.  The  days  spent  in  the  service  were 
hard  and  trying,  but  they  had  their  recompense;  for  they  taught 
true  democracy  and  mutual  dependency,  they  brought  health  and 
strength,  they  afforded  the  opportunity  for  service,  and  last,  and 
greatest  of  all,  they  proved  the  manhood  and  courage  of  the 
men.  "E"  Company  came  from  the  people  and  has  gone  back 
to  the  people.  It  has  a  record  of  service  of  which  every  man 
and  every  father,  mother,  wife,  sister  or  child  of  men  who  served 
in  its  ranks,  can  be  proud. 

This  record  of  the  company  service  is  but  a  sketchy  one. 
However,  it  will  suffice  to  show  those  who  did  not  serve  in  the 
ranks,  and  the  children  of  those  who  did,  what  a  typical  infantry 
company  of  the  National  Army  was,  how  it  was  organized  and 
trained,  what  it  was  forced  to  undergo,  how  it  faced  the  crisis, 
and  how  it  was  mustered  out.  May  those  who  served  never 
forget  their  days  of  service  nor  those  who  served  with  them. 


FINIS. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH   INF.  105 


ROSTER  OF  OFFICERS  ASSIGNED  AND  ATTACHED 
TO  "E"  COMPANY,  364th  INFANTRY 

Xames  are  arranged  by  grades  in  chronological  order  of 
service  with  the  company.  As  in  the  case  of  the  roster  of  men, 
attempt  has  been  made  to  give  information  concerning  the  serv- 
ice history  of  each  officer.  Due  to  the  difficulty  encountered  in 
collecting  data,  full  information  is  impossible  in  some  few  cases. 

GRAUPNER,  ADOLPHUS  E.,  Captain— 

525  Market  Street,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  Assigned  to  company  per 
R.  G.  O.  12,  Sept.  5,  1917,  per  G.  O.  2,  H.  Q.  9ist  Div.,  Sept.  4,  1917. 
Wounded  in  right  shoulder  and  back  by  H.  E.  shell  Sept.  29,  1918, 
near  Bois  de  Baulny.  Cited  for  bravery  in  action  on  Sept.  27,  1918, 
in  G.  O.  55,  H.  Q.  1st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

GOODCELL,  ROSCOE  A,  Captain- 
Educational  Dept.,  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Attached  to  com- 
pany per  R.  G.  O.,  Feb.,  1918;  transferred  to  8th  Div.,  Camp  Fremont, 
Cal,  Mar.  25,  1918,  per  par.  4,  S.  O.  82,  H.  Q.  91st  Div.,  Mar.  23, 
1918;  assigned  Mar.  4,  1919,  to  Military  Department,  University  of 
Illinois ;  June,  1919,  assigned  to  Personnel  Office,  Washington,  D.  C. 

BURTOX,  KENNETH  E.,  Captain- 
Los  Angeles,  California.     Transferred  from  "D"  Co.  and  attached  to 
"E"  Co.,  Feb.,  1918;  transferred  to  inactive  list  March,  1918. 

SHEATS,  ARCHIBALD,  Captain- 
Delta,  Colorado.     Transferred  from  "F"  Co.  and  assigned  to  "E"  Co. 
Nov.  14,  1918,  and  remained  in  command  until  company  was  mustered 
out  of  service,  April  27,  1919. 

RUSSELL,  HARRY  W,  First  Lieutenant- 
Calcutta,  India  c/o  Standard  Oil  Co.  Assigned  to  Company  per  R.  G. 
O.  12,  Sept.  5,  1917.  Transferred  to  H.  Q.  2nd  Bn.,  364th  Inf.,  as 
Adjutant,  Oct.,  1917.  Promoted  to  Captain,  Inf.,  August,  1918;  trans- 
ferred to  G.  H.  Q.  Staff,  A.  E.  F.  (G-3),  Nov.,  1918;  transferred  to 
Army  of  Occupation. 

SAMPSON,  PHILLIP,  First  Lieutenant- 
Chicago,  111.  Assigned  to  Company,  Sept.  14,  1917;  transferred  to 
H.  Q.  364th  Inf.  as  physical  instructor,  Oct.,  1917;  resigned  from  ser- 
vice on  account  of  illness  in  family,  Dec.,  1917;  restored  to  rank  and 
active  service  and  assigned  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  August,  1918;  as- 
signed to  A.  E.  F.  Siberia,  April,  1918. 

BRUCE,  MALCOLM  C.,  First  Lieutenant— 

4233  Beach  Drive,  Seattle,  Wash.  Attached  to  company  as  2nd  Lieut, 
per  R.  G.  O.  12,  Sept.  5,  1917,  per  G.  O.  2,  H.  Q.  91st  Div,  Sept.  4, 
1917;  assigned  to  Co.  per  R.  S.  O.  2,  Sept.  17,  1917;  appointed  1st 
Lieut,  per  telegram  W.  D,  Jan.  22,  1918;  assigned  to  company  per 
R.  S.  O.  12,  Jan.  24,  1918.  Cited  for  bravery  in  action  on  Sept.  28,  1918, 
in  G.  O.  55.  Gassed  near  Bois  de  Baulny,  Sept.  29,  1918.  Assigned 
to  M.  G.  Co,  364th  Inf.,  Nov.  13,  1918;  transferred  and  assigned  to 
"F"  Co,  364th  Inf.,  Dec,  1918. 

MILLAN,  DAVID  N,  First  Lieutenant— 

4301  Hermosa  Way,  San  Diego,  Cal.  Attached  to  company  as  2nd 
Lieut,  per  R.  G.  O.  12,  Sept.  5,  1917,  per  G.  O.  2,  H.  Q.  91st  Div, 
Sept.  4,  1917;  assigned  to  Co.  per  R.  S.  O.  2,  Sept.  17,  1917.  Ap- 
pointed 1st  Lieut,  per  telegram  W.  D,  Jan.  22,  1918;  assigned  to  Co. 
per  R.  S.  O.  12,  Jan.  24,  1918.  Transferred  to  "L"  Co,  364th  Inf. 
Dec,  1918,  and  assigned  to  duty  at  H.  Q.  364th  Inf.,  as  Assistant  Per- 
sonnel Officer. 


106  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


YOUNG,  JAMES  N.,  First  Lieutenant— 

21  W.  58th  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y.  Attached  to  Company  as  2nd  Lieut, 
per  R.  G.  O.  12,  Sept.  5,  1917,  per  G.  O.  2,  H.  Q.  91st  Div.,  Sept.  4, 
1917.  Assigned  to  Co.  per  R.  S.  O.  2,  Sept.  17,  1917.  Appointed  1st 
Lieut,  per  telegram  W.  D.,  Jan.  22,  1918;  assigned  to  Co.  per  R.  O.  S. 
12,  Jan.  24,  1918.  Ordered  to  Line  School  for  Officers  at  Langres, 
France,  July  29,  1918;  graduated  from  Line  School  and  ordered  to 
Army  General  Staff  College  at  Langres,  Oct.,  1918;  graduated  from 
Staff  College,  Dec.,  1918;  ordered  to  G.  H.  Q.,  Chaumont,  France,  and 
assigned  to  duty  with  "G"-3  (section  of  Operations).  Promoted  to 
Captain,  Inf.  N.  A. 

RYAN,  PATRICK  D.,  First  Lieutenant— 

648  S.  2nd  Ave.,  Tucson,  Arizona.  Attached  to  Company  "G"  as  2nd 
Lieut,  per  R.  G.  O.  12,  Sept.  5,  1917,  per  G.  O.  2,  H.  Q.  91st  Div., 
Sept.  4,  1917;  transferred  to  "E"'  Co.  and  attached,  Oct.,  1917;  ap- 
pointed 1st  Lieut,  per  telegram  W.  D.,  Jan.  22,  1918;  transferred  and 
assigned  to  "F"  Co.  per  R.  S.  O.  12,  Jan.  24,  1918;  transferred  and 
assigned  to  H.  Q.  182nd  Inf.  Brig.,  Aug.,  1918. 

KIDDER,  ALFRED  V.,  First  Lieutenant- 
Cambridge,   Mass.     Attached   to   company  per  R.   S.   O.,    Feb.,   1918; 
transferred  and  assigned  to  H.  Q.  182nd  Inf.  Brig.,  April,  1918;  trans- 
ferred  and   assigned   to    H.    Q.   91st    Div.,    as    Assistant    "G"-2;    pro- 
moted to  Captain,  Inf.  N.  A. 

CALDERHEAD,  SAMUEL  J.,  First  Lieutenant- 
Los  Angeles,  Cal.     Attached  to  company  per  R.  S.  O.,  Feb.,  1918,  and 
ordered  to  special  duty  at  H.  Q.  91st  Div.;  transferred  to  166th  Depot 
Brig.,    and    assigned   to   H.    Q.    Camp   Lewis,    May   18,    1918.      Trans- 
ferred to  Camp  Kearny. 

WALTON,  LESLIE  J.,  First  Lieutenant— 

Altoona,  Wis.  Transferred  from  "B"  Company,  335th  Inf.,  to  91st 
Div.,  Oct.  7,  1918;  assigned  to  Company  "E"  364th  Inf.,  Oct.  21,  1918; 
joined  same  date  near  Oostniewkerke,  Belgium. 

BUZBY,  EDWARD  E.,  First  Lieutenant— 

225  W.  39th  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y.  Assigned  to  company  November, 
1918. 

LEWIS,  SHIRLEY  D.,  First  Lieutenant— 

402  N.  Walnut  St.,  Glenwood,  Iowa.  Assigned  to  company  November, 
1918. 

BLATTNER,  CARL  H.,  Second  Lieutenant— 

344  Ellis  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  Assigned  to  company  per  R.  G.  O. 
12,  Sept.  5,  1917,  per  G.  O.  2,  H.  Q.  91st  Div.,  Sept.  4,  1917.  Trans- 
ferred to  Bakery  Co.  No.  — ,  Jan.,  1917.  Commissioned  1st  Lieut., 
Q.  M.  C. 

OSBURN,  ORREN  E.,  Second  Lieutenant- 
Assigned  to  company  per  R.  G.  O.  12,  Sept.  5,  1917,  per  G.  O.  2,  H. 
Q.  91st  Div.,   Sept.  4,   1917.     Transferred  to  166th  Depot  Brig.  Oct., 
1917. 

JOHNSON,  ARNOLD  E.,  Second  Lieutenant— 

88  E.  37th  St.,  Portland,  Oregon.  Attached  to  "C"  Co.,  364th  Inf., 
per  R.  G.  O.  12,  Sept.  5,  1917;  transferred  an  dassigned  to  "E"  Com- 
pany per  R  S  O  16,  Feb.  1,  1918;  joined  Feb.  2,  1918;  invalided  to 
hospital  Oct.  19,  1918,  at  Bosinghe,  Belgium. 

THOMAS,  POWELL,  Second  Lieutenant- 
San  Francisco,   Cal.     Assigned  to  company  per  R.   S.  O.  12,  Jan.  24, 
1918;  transferred  to  346th  Field  Artillery,   Feb.,  1918. 

RUDD,  WILL  D.,  Second  Lieutenant— 

848  Gough  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  Transferred  from  "I"  Company, 
364th  Inf.,  and  assigned  to  '"E"  Co.  per  R.  S.  O.,  Jan.,  1918.  Trans- 
ferred to  Suppfly  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  April  3,  1918,  per  R.  S.  O.  56. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  107 

McCUXE,  WAMBOLD  H,  Second  Lieutenant— 

231  X.  Canyon  Drive,  Monrovia,  Cal.  Transferred  to  company  from 
"B"  Co.,  per  par.  3,  S.  O.  100,  H.  Q.  91st  Div.,  April  11,  1918;  ap- 
pointed 1st  Lieut,  and  assigned  to  H.  Q.  2nd  Bn.,  364th  Inf.,  as  Adju- 
tant, Xov.,  1918. 

CUMMIXGS,  GABRIEL  P.,  Second  Lieutenant- 
Fresno,    Cal.     Attached   to    company    Feb.,    1918;    transferred    to    8th 
Div.  at  Camp  Fremont,  Cal.,  April  10,  1918,  per  par.  ,  S.  O.  98,  H.  Q. 
91st  Div.,  April  9,  1918. 

McGIXTY,  \YILLIAM  P.,  Second  Lieutenant- 
Chicago,  111.     Attached  to  company  Jan.,  1918;  transferred  to  "G"  Co., 
364th  Inf.,  March,  1918;  transferred  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June,  1918. 

S  \YAXSOX,  -   — .,  Second  Lieutenant- 
Attached    to    company    Feb.,    1918;    transferred    to    Aviation    Section 
Signal  Corps,  Vancouver  Barracks,  Wash.,  Feb.,  1918. 

HASEXJAEGER,  GEORGE  A.,  Second  Lieutenant— 

939  X.  Drake  Ave.,  Chicago,  111.  Joined  91st  Div.,  from  O.  T.  C.,  at 
Langres,  at  Bussy  le  Cote,  Oct.  1,  1918;  assigned  to  company,  Oct.  18, 
1918. 

YALOIS,  JOHX  R.,  Second  Lieutenant- 
Detroit,    Mich.     Assigned    to   91st    Div.    from    O.    T.    C.    at   Langres, 
France,    Sept.   25,    1918;    assigned   to   company   Nov.    12,    1918;    trans- 
ferred to  Military  Police  91st  Div.,  Dec.  22,  1918. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  "E" 

This  Roster  attempts  to  give  the  names  of  all  men  who 
served  with  the  Company  at  any  time  during  its  existence. 
Tho  it  gives  the  names  of  540  men,  it  is  realized  that  many  have 
been  overlooked  thru  lack  of  records  and  data.  The  addresses 
of  many  of  the  men  are  unknown,  but  the  addresses  given  are, 
in  the  main,  correct.  The  commonly  used  "nick-names"  are 
given  without  thought  of  opprobrium.  AYhere  the  data  has  been 
obtainable,  a  brief  descriptive  note  follows  the  name  of  each 
man  who  was  killed,  wounded,  or  transferred  out  of  the  com- 
pany. In  order  that  some  permanent  record  of  the  men  may  be 
kept,  it  is  requested  that  every  man  having  information  notify 
Capt.  A.  E.  Graupner,  209  Walnut  Street,  San  Francisco,  Cali- 
fornia, of  any  missing  or  changed  address. 

AHLF,  LOREXZ  L.,  "The  Marine",  Private— 
Xewport  Beach,  Cal. 

ALDRIDGE,  WILLIAM,  Private— 

115   27th  Ave.   N.,    Seattle,   Wash.     Transferred   to   Overseas   Casuals 
at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J. 

ALEXAXDER,  JOHN  T.,  Private- 
Transferred  to  166th  Depot  Brigade  at  Camp  Lewis,  Wash.,  June  24, 
1918. 

ALSTRUM,  CHESTER  A.,  "Daddy",  Private- 
Killed  in  action  by  H.  E.  shell  near  Eclisfontaine,  Oct.  3,  1918. 

ALTCHOULER,  AARON,  Private- 
Discharged  on  account  of  physical  disabilitv  at  Camp  Lewis,  Jan.  15, 
1918. 

AMUXDSOX,  CLARENCE,  Private— 
Lamberton,  Minn. 


108  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


ANDERSON,  GEORGE  F,  Private— 

R.  F.   D.  "A",   Box  8,  Dinuba,   Cal.     Transferred  at   Camp  Lewis  to 
Supply  Company  364th  Inf.,  Mar.  16,  1918.     Rated  Cook. 

ANDERSON,  THEODORE,  Private- 
Killed  in  action  by  H.  E.  shell  near  Eclisfontaine,  Oct.  3,  1918. 

ANDRE,  PAUL,  Private- 
Wounded  by  sniper's  bullet  Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

ANDREWS,  GEORGE  A.,  Private— 
Scottsburg,  Oregon. 

ANDREWS,  ORAN  W.,  Private— 
Sanford,  N.  C. 

ANDROW,  MIKE  L.,  Private— 

943  Frederick  St.,   Detroit,  Mich.     Joined  company  at  Camp  Merritt, 
N.  J.,  July  9,  1918.     Transferred  to  hospital  in  France. 

ANTONELLI,  SALVATORI,  Private- 
Joined  company  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  July  9,  1918. 

ARDIT,  ANGELO  L,  Private  First-class— 
3019  Eden  Ave.,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

ARDIT,  JOSEPH  A.,  Private  First-class— 
3019  Eden  Ave.,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

ARNOLD,  FRANK,  Private  First-class- 
Route  3,  Riverside,  Cal. 

ARNOLD,  GEORGE  J,  Corporal— 

734  23rd  St.,  Oakland,  Cal.     Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  29,   1918,  in 
G.  O.  55,  Hq.  91st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

ASHWORTH,  GEORGE  T,  Private— 

47  Degress  St.,  Atlanta,  Ga.     Joined  company  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J., 
July  9,  1918. 

ATKINS,  JOHN  R.,   "Prune  Picker",  Private  First-class- 
Griffin  Hotel,  Selma,  Cal.     Transferred  to  company  from  316th  Eng., 
Jan.  4,  1918. 

AVEDIS,  ORANIS,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brigade,  June  17,  1918. 

AVERY,  ALLEN  A,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  Van- 
couver Barracks,  Dec.  12,  1917. 

BACON,  MELVIN,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  316th  Field  Signal  Battalion,  Jan.   15, 
1918. 

BAILEY,  WILLIAM  H.,  Private— 

Corwin   Springs,  Montana.     W^ounded  in  left  arm  and  leg  by  H.   E. 
shell,  Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

BAKER,  GLENN,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  Van- 
couver Barracks.     Rated  Sergeant. 

BALLESTEROS,  RAYMOND  G.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to   Supply  Company  364th  Inf.,   Nov.   7, 
1917. 

BALLOTTI,  EMIL,  "Bug",  Private— 

Cooley,  Wash.     Transferred  to   company   from   "D"   Co.,   316th   Eng., 
Dec.  17,  1917. 

BARGER,  EMMETT,  Private  First-class— 
3439  Anza  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

BARNETT,  FRANK,  Private- 
San   Diego,   Cal.     Discharged  at   Camp  Lewis   for  physical   disability, 
Dec.  5,  1918. 

BARNHILL,  JOHN  T.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brigade,  June  19,  1918. 


OF   E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  109 

BARTOX,  FREDERICK  T.,  "The  Boy  Scout",  Private  First-class— 

268  Edinburg  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  Wounded  in  neck  by  bullet 
Oct.  2,  1918,  near  Tronsol  Farm. 

BATCHELDER,  HAROLD,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Supply  Co.,  347th  Field  Art.,  May  24, 
1918. 

BAYARO,  DOMENICK,  Private— 

531  Castro  St.,  Oakland,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Supply 
Co.,  364th  Inf.,  April  2,  1918.  Rated  Wagoner. 

BELL,  ROBERT  H,  Private— 

114  W.  29th  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Wounded  by  H.  E.,  shell  Oct.  3, 
1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

BELLIVEAU,  JOSEPH  H,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to   166th  Depot  Brigade;   transferred  to 
Oversees  Casuals  and  sent  over  seas;  assigned  to  "C"  Co.,  55th  Inf. 
Rated  Corporal. 

BEQUETTE,  CLIFFORD  E.,  "Becky",  Corporal- 
Route   "A",   Box    104,   Yisalia,    Cal.     Cited   for   bravery   on   Sept.   28, 
1918,  in  G.  O.  55,  Hq.  91st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

BEXGSTOX,  ALEXAXDER,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Mar.  30,  1918. 

BEXSOX.  ALEXAXDER,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  June  16,  1918. 

BERXARD,  ELMER  L.,  Corporal— 

Orosi,  Cal.  Wounded  in  right  shoulder  by  H.-  E.  shell,  Sept.  28,  1918, 
near  Eclisfontaine. 

BOLER,  THOMAS  J.,  Private— 
Byng  Inlet,  Ontario,  Canada. 

BOLTOX,  MILTOX  M.,  "Ante",  "Slats",  Sergeant— 

Elmodena,  Cal.  Gassed  Sept.  29,  1918,  near  Bois  de  Baulny.  Cited 
for  bravery  on  Sept.  29,  1918,  in  G.  O.  55,  Hq.  91st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

BOREL,  ROMULUS  A.,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  June  14,  1918. 

BOS,  AXDREW,  Private  First-class- 
Route    "A",    Box    414,    Fresno,    Cal.      Transferred   to    company    from 
"D"  Co.,  316th  Eng.,  Dec.  17,  1917. 

BOS,  JOHX,  Private- 
Same  data. 

BRAXSOX,  RAY,  Private- 
Killed  in  action  by  machine  gun  bullet,  Sept.  28,  1918,  near  Eclisfon- 
taine.    Transferred  to  company  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  July  9,  1918. 

BRISCpE,  EDWARD  J.,  Private- 
Livingston,  Montana. 

BROCKMAX,  CHARLES  E.,  "The  Owl",  Private— 

Yisalia,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Supply  Co.,  347th  Field 
Art.,  May  24,  1918. 

BROOKS,  HARpLD  L,  Private— 

635  W.   Mission  St.,  Santa  Barbara,  Cal. 

BROWX,  EDWARD,  "Wino",  Private— 
Porterville,  Cal. 

BROWX,  EXXIS  O.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Supply  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  April  4,  1918. 

BROWX,  JIM  C.,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  June  16,  1918. 

BROWX,  JOSEPH  C.,  Mechanic— 

209  Walnut  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to 
166th  Depot  Brigade;  transferred  to  Overseas  Casuals;  sent  overseas 
and  assigned  to  "C"  Co.,  55th  Inf. 

BROWX,  X.  F.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  346th  Field  Artillery. 


110  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


BRUBAKER,  TRUMAN  M.,  Private- 
Millwood,  111. 

BRUCE,  MARION,  Private— 

Siluria,  Ala.     Wounded  by  H.   E.   shell.     Transferred  to  company  at 
Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  July  9,   1918. 

BUCK,  VALENTINE  B,  Sergeant- 
Neighbours,  Cal.     Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  28,   1918,  in  G.  O.  55, 
Hq.  91st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

BUMGARDNER,  BURNS,  "Bum",  Private— 

944  State  St.,   San  Diego,   Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to   Ma- 
chine Gun  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  Mar.  22,   1918.     Rated  Corporal. 

BURNS,  LUTHER  A,  Private— 

R  .F.  D.  2,  Friendship,  Tenn. 

BUSCH,  EDMUND  O.,  Private—  Ojai,  Cal. 

BUSH,  CLAUDE  T.,  Private— 

611   S.  Center  St.,  Clinton,  111. 

BUSHBY,  GEORGE  J,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Aviation  Section,   Signal  Corps,  Van- 
couver Barracks,  Dec.   12,   1917. 

BUSK,  JORGEN  C.  J.,  Mechanic- 
Bianco,  Cal. 

BUTEAU,  THEO.  H.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Division,  Sept.  30,  1917. 

BYERS,  WILBUR,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  20th  Eng.,  Forestry  Regt,  Camp  Amer- 
ican University,  Washington,  D.  C.,  Feb.  4,  1918. 

BZEMO,  MIKE,  Private— 

2025    Columbia   Ave.,   E.    Philadelphia,    Pa.     Transferred   to    company 
at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  July  9,  1918. 

CALLAHAN,  FRED,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  20th  Eng.  Forestry  Regt.,  Camp  Amer- 
ican University,  Washington,  D.  C.,   Feb.  4,   1918. 

CAMPBELL,  ELGIE,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Div.,  Sept.  30,  1917. 

CAMPBELL,  JOHN  H.,  Private- 
Dallas,  Texas.     Transferred  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  to  Oversees  Cas- 
uals, July  10,  1918. 

CARMEL,  FRED  L,  Private- 
San  Diego,   Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Q.   M.  C.,  April  5, 
1918,  and  assigned  to  Fire  Truck  and  Hose  Co.  No.  316. 

CARREA,  FRANCISCO  G.,  Private- 
Transferred  at   Camp   Merritt,   N.   J.,  to   Overseas   Casuals,   July   10, 
1918. 

CARROLL,  HOLLIS,  Private— 

Tullahoma,  Tenn.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  H.  Q.  Co.,  364th 
inf.,  Mar.   12,   1918. 

CARSON,  TERRELL,  "Kit",  Private  First-class— 

819   E.   33rd   St.,   Los   Angeles,    Cal.     Transferred   to   company   from 
H.  Q.  Co.  316th  Eng.,  Dec.  17,  1917. 

CARTER,  ROBERT  M.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  Van- 
couver Barracks,  Dec.  12,  1917. 

CARVER,  CLIFFORD  E.,  "Little  Eva",  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brigade,  April  29,  1918. 

CASPARIAN,  CASPAR,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brigade,  June  17,  1918. 

CELSE,  ARMOND  J.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Bakery  Co.  No.  325,  Nov.  6,  1918. 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  Ill 

CHAMBERS,  OLIVER  C,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to   Guard  and  Fire   Co.,   Point   of   Em- 
barkation, Hoboken,  N.  J.,  March  28,  1918. 

CHAPMAN,  KENNETH  C.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  Van- 
couver Barracks,   Dec.   12,   1917. 

CHIARAMOXTE,  AXTONIO,  Private— 

36  Charles  St.,  Akron,  Ohio.  Transferred  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  to 
Overseas  Casuals,  July  10,  1918. 

CHRISTEXSEN,  ALBERT  R..  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brigade,  Feb.  2,  1918. 

CLAPP,  CHARLES  A.,  Corporal- 
Salinas,  Cal. 

CLARK,  CLYDE  C.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Bakery  Co.  No.  325,  Nov.  9,   1917. 

CLARK,  DELANCY  S.,  Mechanic- 
Care  Lewis   D.   Clark,   Elsinore,   Cal.     Transferred  at   Camp  Merritt, 
X.  J.,  to  Overseas  Casuals,  July  9,  1918;  transferred  thence  to  Camp 
Lee,  Va.,  and  thence  to   Camp  Kearny,   Cal. 

CLARK,  FRENCH,  Private— 
20  12th  St.,  Bristol,  Tenn. 

CLARK,  HARRY  R.,  Private— 

142  E.  Truslow  Ave.,  Fullerton,  Cal. 

CLARK,  PATRICK  T,  Private— 

R.  F.  D.,  Box  13,  Glenwood,  Ga.  Transferred  to  S.  O.  S.  Hospital, 
B.  S.  Xo.  4,  Le  Havre,  France,  July  21,  1918. 

COLLIXS,  RUSSELL,  Private— 

R.  F.  D.  Xo.  4,  Lenoir,  X".  C.  Transferred  to  company  at  Camp 
Merritt,  X.  J,  July  9,  1918. 

COMEAUX,  CLEOPHAS,  Private— 

Carencro,  La.  Transferred  to  company  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  July 
9,  1918. 

COXBOY,  JAMES,  Private— 

25  Prospect  Ave.,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

COXRAD,  BEXSOX  D.,  Private— 
Tyrone,  Pa. 

COOKE,  CALVIN  C,  "Smooth  Top",  Bugler— 
1412  S.  Chyenne  Ave,  Tulsa,  Okl. 

COX,  ROY  C,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  H.  Q.  Am.  Ex.  Forces,  Camp  Merritt, 
N.  J,  Feb.  2,  1918. 

COYLE,  GEORGE  H,  Private- 
Discharged  for  physical  disability  at  Camp  Lewis,  Jan,  1918. 

CRANDALL,  GEORGE  R,  Private— 

Perris,  Ca.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  M.  G.  Co,  364th  Inf., 
Mar.  22,  1918.  Wounded  in  right  leg  by  shell  fragment  Oct.  5,  1918, 
near  Gesnes. 

CRESS,  JOHN  J,  Private— 

Severely  wounded  in  action  by  H.  E.  shell  Oct.  3,  1918,  near  Eclis- 
fontaine  and  died  of  wounds. 

CRONLEY,  MICHAEL  J,  Private— 

2038  19th  Ave,  San  Francsico,  Cal. 

CULLOTA,  CASIMO,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Division,  Nov.  12,  1917. 

CURP,  RICHARD  C,  Private— 

Morganstown,  Ohio.  Transferred  to  company  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J., 
July  9,  1918. 

DALZIEL,  ROBERT  B,  Private- 
Route  2,  Colome,  So.  Dak. 


112  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


DANIEL,  JOSEPH  R,  Sergeant— 

2545  Imperial  Ave.,  San  Diego,  Cal.  Battalion  Gas  N.  C.  O.  during 
Argonne-Meuse  Offensive.  Sent  to  O.  T.  C.  and  commissioned  2nd 
Lieut.  Inf.  N.  A. 

DARTER,  EDWARD  J.,  Corporal- 
Gary,  Ind.     Transferred  to  company  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  July  9, 

DAVIDSON,  ARTHUR,  Private— 
Farmington,  Mont. 

DAVIS,  FRED  H,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Q.  M.  C.  Utilities  Dept.,  Jan.  29    1918 

DAVIS,  LESTER  L,  Private— 
Tallent,  Oregon. 

DAVIS,  ROY  HEATH,  Corporal— 

1557  7th  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal.  Wounded  by  H.  E.  shell  Sept.  27,  1918, 
near  Eclisfontaine. 

DeALBAR,  ANDREW  R.,  Private— 

214  W.  Main  St.,  Stockton,  Cal.  Wounded  in  left  leg  by  H.  E.  shell 
Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

DELONG,  OTTO  A.,  Private- 
Kent,  Wash.     Wounded  by  M.  G.  bullet  Sept.  29,  1918,  near  Bois  de 
Baulny. 

DEL  PAPA,  MIKE,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  to  Overseas  Casuals,  July  10,  1918. 

DEMACINA,  IGNAZIO,  Private- 
San  Diego,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Div.,   Sept.  30, 

1917.  Assigned  to  Overseas  Casuals  and  sent  overseas.     Wounded  by 
shell  fragment;  losing  left  arm. 

DENTON,  ERWIN  D.,  Private  First-class. 

Route  "A"   Box  41,  Woodlake,   Cal.     Cited  for  bravery  on   Sept.  27, 

1918,  in  G.  O.  55,  H.  Q.  91st  Div,  Dec.  4,  1918. 
DEREWENKO,  PAUL  W,  Private- 
Deserted  at  Camp  Lewis,  May,  1918. 

DEVITAS,  LEONARDO,  Private  First-class— 

873  Sinclair  St.,  Akron,  Ohio.  Transferred  to  company  at  Camp 
Merritt,  N.  J.,  July  9,  1918. 

D1CKSAN,  JAMES  H,  Private  First-class— 

Yorba  Linda,  Orange  Co.,  Cal.  Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  27,  1918, 
in  G.  O.  55,  H.  Q.  91st  Div,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

DILLEY,  BENJAMIN  H,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Nov.  17,  1917. 

DILLON,  SIDNEY  H,  Private  First-class- 
Box  146,  East  Akron,  Ohio. 

DONOVAN,  JAMES,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  School  for  Bakers  and  Cooks,  Q.  M. 
C,  Nov.  9,  1917. 

DOUGLAS,  JONES  R,  Private— 

Rosewell,  Ga.     Transferred  to  company  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J,  July  9, 

DUKE,  GEORGE  Z,  Cook— 

4726  Melrose  Ave,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Transferred  to  hospital  at 
Longchamp,  France,  Aug.,  1918. 

DUKES,  JOHN  PARK,  Private— 

701  S.  Blanchard  St.,  Findley,  Ohio. 

DUNBAR,  LAURENCE,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Campl  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Nov.  17,  1917. 

DUSTIN,  HENRY  A,  Corporal— 

1607  N.  5th  St.,  Seattle,  Wash. 

EDMISTON,  EDWARD  N,  Private— 

1833  W.  45th  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to 
Co.  A,  316th  Motor  Supply  Train,  Mar.  20,  1918.  Rated  Corporal. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  113 

FILERS,  JOHN  A.,  "Souveniers",  Private— 

311  Cornhill  St.,  Peoria,  111.     Transferred  to  company  at  Camp  Mer- 
ritt,  N.  J.,  July  9,  1918. 

EK,  GUSTAV  W.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Le\vis  to  41st  Div.,  Xov.  12,  1917. 

EKSTROM,  BROR  A.,  Private— 

445  Aiarket  St.,  Williamsport,  Pa. 

ELDRETH,  CHARLIE,  Private- 
Lansing,  X.  C. 

EMBANKS,  JOHN  E,  Private- 
Route  1,  Box  81,  Walla  Walla,  Wash. 

FARMER,  JACK,  Private- 
Ray,  Ohio. 

FEELY,  WILLIAM  L,  Corporal— 

4223  Wyncoup  St.,  Denver,  Colo. 

FERRASCI,   ALI,   Private. 

Stratford,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  M.  G.  Co.,  364th  Inf., 
Alar.  22,  1918.     Rated  Corporal. 

FILIPPI,  BATTISTA  J.,  "Flip",  Private  First-class— 
43  18th  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

FINCH,  ROBERT  M,  Private— 

Yisalia,    Cal.     Transferred   at   Camp   Lewis   to    Ordnance    Corps    and 
attached  to  Supply  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  Dec.  15,  1917. 

FLEISCHAUER,  WALTER,  Private- 
Killed  in  action  by  H.  E.  shell,  Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

FOGELBERG,  AVID  E.,  First  Sergeant- 
Attended  3rd  O.    T.    C.   at   Camp   Lewis.     Commissioned  2nd  Lieut. 
Inf.  N.  A.,  and  attached  to  166th  Depot  Brigade;  transferred  May  24, 
1918,  to  Depot  Brigade  at  Camp  Lee,  Va. 

FORD,  CLAUDE  M.,  "Jack",  Private— 

2975  Upas  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal.     Gassed  Sept.  29,  1918,  near  Bois  de 
Baulny. 

FOSS,  EDGAR  P.,  "Sister",  Private— 

Yucaipa,  Cal.     Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  28,  1918,  in  G.  O.  55,  H.  Q. 
91st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

FOSTER,  JESSE  L.,  Private  First-class- 
Killed  in  action  by  H.  E.  shell  Sept.  29,  1918,  near  Bois  de  Baulny. 

FROMM,  ELMER  G.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Q.  M.  C.,  Nov.  9,  1917. 

FRYE,  PHILIP  L,  Private  First-class— 
534  Fifth  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

FUEL,  SCOTT,   Private- 
Columbus,   Ind. 

GALLAGHER,  CORNELIUS  J.,  Private— 

Wounded  by  bullet,  Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

GALLAGHER,   EDWARD  P.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Birgade,  June  24,  1918. 

GARDNER,  FRED,  Private— 

3707  Nopal  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.     Gassed  Sept.  29,  1918,  near  Bois 
de  Baulny. 

GARNHAM,  ROBERT  M.,  "Cousin  Jack",  Corporal— 
13  Coso  Ave.,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

GAY,  — ,  "Dirty  Neck",  Private  First-class — 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  12th  Inf. 

GIESKE,  HARRY  L.,  Private— 
St.  James,  Minn. 

GILBORNE,  'WILLIAM  H.,  Private- 
Killed  in  action  by  H.  E.  shell  in  Les  Bouleaux  Bois,  Sept.  28,  1918. 


114  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


GISLER,  TOM  P.,  Private— 

R.  F.  D.  6,  Box  58,  Santa  Ana,  Cal.     Wounded  in  left  arm  by  H.  E. 
shell,  Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

GOELIT,  WILLIAM,  Private— 

3425  Missouri  Ave.,  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Transferred  in  Belgium  to  M.  G. 
Co.,  464th  Inf. 

GOFF,  LISTON  D.,  Private— 

508   Grant   Ave.,   Martins   Ferry,    Ohio.     Transferred   to   company   at 
Camp  Merritt,  N.  J,  July  9,  1918. 

GOLDFEDER,  SAMUEL,  "Sammy",  Corporal— 

222  W.  43rd  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.     Wounded  by  H.  E.  shell,  Sept. 
27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

GOODMAN,  CHESTER  A.,  Private  First-class. 

Tidewater,    Oregon.      Transferred     to     hospital     from     Longchamps, 
France,  August,  1918. 

GORMAN,  ALFRED,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brigade,  June  25,  1918. 

GRAY,  HAROLD  P.,  Private- 
Lafayette,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Pagny  sur  Meuse  to  base  hospital  at 
Toul,  Sept.  23,  1918. 

GRAY,  JOHN,  Private- 
Santa  Monica,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  M.  G.  Co.,  364th 
Inf.,  April  3,  1918. 

GREEN,  LLOYD  E,  Private- 
Thomas,  Oregon. 

GREEN,  RAYMOND  J.,  Private— 

1240    Granville,   Ave.,   Chicago,   111. 

GREEN,  SIMON  E,  Private— 

Maynooth,  Ontario,   Canada.     Wounded  by  H.  E.   shell,   Oct.   1,   1918, 
near  Bois  de  Baulny. 

GREY,  LeROY  S.,  Private— 

2820  Gary  Ave.,  Davenport,  Iowa. 

GRONEMEYER,  WILLIAM  G.,  Private— 
Rockfield,  Wis. 

GROVER,  DANIEL  T,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  316th  Eng.,  Jan.  2,  1918  . 

GURT,  GEORGE  J.  M.,  "White  Hope",  Corporal— 
Winnette,  Mont. 

GULLEY,  HUGH,  Private- 
Route  1,  Box  171,  Tulare,  Cal.   Gassed  Sept.  29,   1918,  near  Bois  de 
Baulny.     Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  28,  1918,  in  G.  O.  55,  H.  Q.  91st 
Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

GUSLER,  ARTHUR,  Cook- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical   disablity,  Dec.  27,   1917. 

HAFFNER,   FRED  K.,   Private— 

Keewatin,    Minn.     Injured   in    railway   accident  at   Pagny   sur   Meuse 
and  transferred  to  Base  Hospital  at  Toul,  Sept.  20,  1918. 

HAGEN,  FRANK  J.,  Private- 
Killed  in  action  by  machine  gun  bullet,  Sept.  28,  1918,  near  Les  Boule- 
aux  Bois. 

HALL,  VIRGIL,   Sergeant- 
Transferred   at   Camp   Lewis   to    "F"    Co.,   364th   Inf.,    Nov.    5,    1917. 
Rated   1st   Sergt.     Attended  3rd   O.   T.   C.   at   Camp  Lewis;    commis- 
sioned 2nd  Lieut.  Inf.  N.  A. 

HANSON,  EDWARD  T,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disablity,  Dec.  14,  1917. 

HANSON,  HENRY  E,  Private— 

Wentworth,  Wis.     Transferred  to  hospital  at  St.  Aignan,  France. 

HANTSBARGER,  FRANK  A.,  Bugler— 
914  W.  Pine  St.,  Santa  Ana,  Cal. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  115 

HARDEN,  ALBERT,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  M.  G.  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  Mar.  22,   1918. 
Rated  Corporal.     Killed  in  action  Oct.  3,  1918,  near  Tronsol  Farm. 

HARMON,   ROY  J.,  Private— 

1406  Crescent  St.,  Charleston,  W.  Va. 

HAROLD,  ARTHUR  A.,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Mar.  18,  1918. 

HARPER,  WILBER  B,  Private- 
Garden  Grove,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Supply  Co.,  364th 
Inf.,  Nov.  7,  1917. 

HARRAH,  IVAN  E,  Private- 
Bishop,  Cal.     Wounded  in  left  knee  by  H.  E.  shell,  Oct.  3,  1918,  near 
Eclisfontaine. 

HARRIS,  GEORGE  F.,  Corporal— 

R.  F.  D.  4,  Box  151,  Anaheim,  Cal. 

HATCH,  JESSE  D.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Div.,  Sept.  30,  1917. 

HA\YKES,  LEONARD  W,  Private— 

•  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  G.  H.  Q.  A.  E.  F.  Detachment,  Camp 
Merritt,   N.  J.,  Feb.  2,    1918. 

HAYS,  LOSSIE  L.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Casual  Detachment,  91st  Div.,  June  26, 
1918. 

HEARD,  FRED  L,  "Curley",  Corporal- 
San  Diego,  Cal. 

HEBBARD,  RALPH  W.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  H.  Q.  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  Nov.  2,  1917. 

HEINO,   JOHN,   Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Casual  Detachment,  91st  Div.,  June  26, 
1918. 

HELLIGE,  JOSEPH  J.,  Private— 
Ft.  Madison,   Iowa. 

HENDERSON,  LUTHER,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  405th  Tel.  Bn.,  Mar.  30,  1918. 

HENDRIX,  CLINTON  C,  Private  First-class- 
Killed  in  action  Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

HERITAGE,  DONALD  L,  Private— 

Yates  Center,  Kansas.     Transferred  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  to  Over- 
seas Casuals,  July  5  ,1918. 

HERRICK,  JULIUS  C.,  Private  - 

Gray  Cliff,  Mont.     Transferred  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,   to  Overseas 
Casuals,  July  10,   1918. 

HESSELBARTH,  JOSEPH  F,  "Butcher  Bird",  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brigade,  April  27,  1918. 

HILAN,  JAMES  E.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Q.  M.  C.  Truck  Co.  No.  456,   Fort 
Meyer,  Va.,  Jan.  21,  1918. 

HILDRETH,  VINCENT  L.,  Private- 
Drawer  275,  Stockton,  Cal. 

HILL,  ROY  H,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  H.  Q.  Co.,  364th  Inf. 

HILLEBRECHT,  HENRY  W.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  G.  H.  Q.  A.  E.  F.  Detachment,  Camp 
Merritt,  N.  J.,  Feb.  2,  1918. 

HILLIS,  CLYDE  D.,  Private— 
Petrosky,  Mich. 

HIPSLEY,  WILLIAM  E,  Private  First-class. 

1215   S.  "K"   St.,   Tacoma,  Wash.     Wounded  in  leg  by  M.   G.   bullet, 
Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 


116  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


HODGE,  OLLIE  A,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  G.  H.  Q.  A.  E.  F.  Detachment,  Camp 
Merritt,  N.  J.,  Feb.  2,  1918. 

HOLDER,  DEE,  Sergeant— 

2420  College  Ave,  Berkeley,  Cal. 

HOLDER,  DOAK,  Private- 
Killed  in  action  by  H.  E.  shell,  Oct.  1,  1918,  near  Bois  de  Baulny. 

HOLLENBECK,  HARRY  A.,  "Rel",  Private  First-class— 

605  Alameda  Ave.,   Reno,   Nev.     Transferred  to   Provisional   Conval- 
escent Bn.  at  St.  Aignan,  France. 

HOLLINGUM,  WALTER,  Private— 
703  Mildreda  St.,  Fresno,  Cal. 

HOLMBERG,  ALFRED,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Aviation  Section,   Signal   Corps,  Van- 
couver Barracks,  Dec.   12,   1917. 

HOLT,  JOHN  W.,  Private— 

R.  F.  D.,  No.  1,  Eastman,  Ga.     Transferred  to  company  at  Camp  Mer- 
ritt, N.  J.,  July  9,  1918.     Slightly  gassed  Sept.  29,  1918 

HOWELL,  HARRY,  Private— 

Laramie,   Wyo.     Wounded  by  H.   E.   shell,  losing  left  arm,   Sept.  29, 
1918,  near  Bois  de  Baulny. 

HOMRIGHOUSE,  FRANK  D.,  "The  Regular",  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  M.  G.  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  Mar.  22,  1918. 
Rated  Corporal.     Cited  in  G.  O.  43,  H.  Q.  91st  Div.,  Nov.   17,   1918, 
for  special  bravery. 

HOSKINS,   LEVI   C,   Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  316th  Field  Signal  Bn.,  Nov.  1,  1917. 

HOWES,  LLOYD,  Private- 
Warsaw,  111. 

HOWIE,  NESBIT,  Private— 

344  First   St.,   Conemaugh,   Pa.     Transferred  to   Overseas   Casuals   at 
Camp  Merritt,  N.  J,  July  10,  1918. 

HOYT,  RICHARD,   Sergeant- 
Attended  4th   O.   T.   C.   at  Camp  Lewis;   transferred  to    166th   Depot 
Brigade  May  28,  1918.     Commissioned  2nd  Lieut.  Inf.  N.  A. 

HUBER,  GEORGE  W.,  Private— 
Elmore,  Minn. 

HUGHES,  JAMES  H,  Private— 
316  N.  Bush  St.,  Ukiah,  Cal. 

HUISVELD,  GARRY,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  H.  Q.  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  Nov.  2,  1917. 

HUTCHISON,  JACK  M,  "The  Staller",  Private- 
San  Diego,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brigade, 
June  26,  1918. 

HYDE,  CHARLES  PAUL,  Corporal- 
San  Diego,  Cal.  Attended  4th  O.  T.  C.  at  Camp  Lewis ;  transferred  to 
166th  Depot  Brigade,   May  28,   1918.     Commissioned  2nd  Lieut.,   Inf., 
N.  A. 

IRELAND,  JAMES  M.,  Private— 

126  S.  Front  St.,  Mankato,  Minn.    Transferred  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J., 
to  Overseas  Casuals,  July  10,  1918. 

ISGRIGG,  WILLIAM  L.,  Corporal— 
Marissa,  111. 

JACKSON,  WILLIAM  WARNER,   "Prunes",  Private— 
P.  O.  Box  93,  Dinuba,  Cal. 

JACKSON,  WILLIAM  W.,  Private- 
Malta,  Mont. 

JACOBSON,  JACOB  A.,  Private— 

Mandlow,  Mont.     Transferred  to  hospital  at  St.  Aignan,  France. 


OF    E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  117 

1EXSEX,  HARVEY  C,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Div.,  Sept.  20,  1917. 

JEXSEX,  OLLA  G.,  Corporal- 
Riverside  Dairy,  Riverside,  Cal. 

JEWELL,  JOHNNIE  W.,  Private   First-class- 
Route  8,  Frederick,  Oklahoma. 

JOHXS,   WILLIAM  R.,   Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Casual  Detachment,  91st  Div.,  June  6, 
1918. 

JOHXSOX,  AXDREW,  Private— 

213  S.  26th  St.,  Billings,  Mont. 

JOHXSOX,  AUGUST  G.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,   Van- 
couver Barracks,  Dec.   12,  1917. 

JOHXSOX,  EDWARD,  Private— 

307  Central  Ave.,  Sparta,  Wis.     Transferred. 

JOHXSOX,  ERXEST  D.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Medical  Detachment,   Base  Hospital, 
April  11,  1918. 

JOHXSOX,  PAUL  C.,  Corporal— 

213  Columbia  St.,  Seattle,  Wash.     Gassed  Sept.  29,  1918,  near  Bois  de 
Baulny. 

JOHXSTOX,  LAUREXCE  S.,  Private- 
Transferred   at  Longchamps,    France,   to   "D"   Co.,   364th   Inf.,   Aug., 
1918.     Died  of  disease  in  France. 

JOXES,  THOMAS  H.,  "Leather  Lungs",  Sergeant— 
Campo,  San  Diego  County,  Cal. 

JORDAX,  WM.  S.,  "Fruit  Tramp",  Private  First-class- 
Exeter,  Cal. 

JORGEXSEX,  AUGUST  C.,  Private- 
Transferred   at   Camp   Merritt,    N.   J.,   to   Overseas   Casuals,   July   10, 
1918. 

JOURXEY,  CLARENCE,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lawis  to  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  Van- 
couver Barracks,  Dec.  12,  1917. 

JOYXER,  WILLIAM  G.,  Private  First-class- 
Box  144,  Tonopah,  Xev. 

KATHAN,  WILLIAM,  Private- 
Route  1    La  Crescent,  Minn.     Transferred  to  company  at  Camp  Mer- 
ritt, X.  J.,  July  9,  1918. 

KAUFMAN,  LOUIS  H.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Div.,  Sept.  30,  1917. 

KAXERIS,   GREGORY,   Private— 

7920  Girard  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

KEXT,  RAYMOXD  H.,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  on  account  of  physical  disability,  Dec.  27, 
1917. 

KESTLER,  JOHN  E.,  Corporal— 

29  Dwight  St.,  Jersey  City,  Md. 

KILLEEX,   TOHX  C.,  Sergeant— 

2453  I  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal. 
KIMBALL,  FLOYD  F.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Medical  Detach.,  364th  Inf.,  Dec.  26, 
1917.     Commissioned  1st  Lieut.,  Dental  Corps. 

KIXG,  SAM  X.,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Dec.  27,  1917. 

KIRK,  DEAX  W,  Corporal— 

348  Short  St.,  Long  Beach,  Cal.     Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  27,  1918, 
in  G.  O.  55,  H.  Q.  91st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 


118  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


KITZMAN,  WILLIAM   E.,   Private— Transferred   at   Camp   Lewis   to   25th 
Eng.,  Camp  Devins,  Mass.,  Jan.  9,  1918. 

KNOLL,  EDWARD  E.,  Private— Fairmount,  Minn.     Wounded  in  left  arm 
by  M.  G.  bullet,  Sept.  28,  1918,  near  Bois  de  Baulny. 

KOELLER,  ELMER  E,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  School   for  Bakers  and  Cooks,  Q.  M. 
C,  April  13,  1918. 

KRAUSE,  LEO  E.,  "Crabby",  Private- 
Salinas,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  M.  G.  Co.,  364th  Inf., 
Mar.   22,    1918.     Rated   Sergeant. 

KREUTZ,  LEMUEL  C.,  First  Sergeant- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Dec.  11,   1917. 

KROUSE,  CHARLES  O.,  "Phonegraph  Pete",  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Feb.  6,  1918. 

KUENZLI,  PAUL  H.,  "Puget  Sound",  Private  First-class. 

Lakeland  Ranch.,  Elsinore,  Cal.  Wounded  in  face  by  H.  E.  shell 
Oct.  1,  1918,  near  Bois  de  Baulny. 

KYLE,  ROBERT  H,  "Rabbi",  Private  First-class- 
King  George  Hotel,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

LALLY,  THOMAS  B.,  Private— 

Dinuba,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Medical  Detch.,  364th 
Inf.,  Dec.  13,  1917. 

LA  MONTE,  THOMAS  W,  "The  General",  Sergeant— 

LaHabra,  Cal.  Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  29,  1918,  in  G.  O.  55,  H.  Q. 
91st  Div.,  Dec..  4,  1918. 

LARGENT,  WILLIAM  N,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Casual  Detch.,  91st  Div.,  June  26,  1918. 

LASSAR,  J.  M.,  Corporal- 
San  Diego,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  H.  Q.  Co.,  364th  Inf., 
Dec.  15,  1917.    Discharged  for  physical  disability. 

LAUGHLIN,  JOHN,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Dec.   14,  1917. 

LAVERY,  THOMAS,  "Windy",  Corporal— 

337  "F"  Sat.,  San  Diego,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Sup- 
ply Co.,  364th  Inf.  Rated  Saddler. 

LEE,  -    — ,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Bakery  Co. 

LENNOX,  PHILLIP  T.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  School  for  Bakers  and  Cooks,  Q.  M. 
C.,  Nov.  10,  1917. 

LEWIS,  THEODORE,   Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis. 

LINDLEY,  JOHN  H,  "Lemon  Extract",  Private— 

Dinuba,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  M.  G.  Co.,  364th  Inf, 
Dec.  15,  1917.  Wounded  Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine.  Cited  for 
bravery  in  G.  O.  43,  H.  Q.  91st  Div.,  Nov.  17,  1918. 

LOGOTO,  MICHAL,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  July  10,  1918,  to  Overseas  Casuals. 

LORING,  CHARLES  F.,  Private  First-class— 
Y.  M.  C.  A.,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

LOVELESS,  FRANK  I,  Private- 
Transferred   at   Camp   Lewis   to   Co.    "A",   316th   Ammunition   Trans, 
May  16,  1918. 

LOWEN,  CLIFTON  E.,  "Swede",  Corporal— 

LaHabra,  Cal,  Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  28,  1918,  in  G.  O.  55,  H.  Q. 
91st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

LUBATTI,  BATTISTA  J.,  "Bug",  Private  First-class— 
2845  Logan  Ave,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

LUCAS,  LELAND  U.,  Sergeant— 

Visalia,  Cal.  Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  29,  1918,  in  G.  O.  55,  H.  Q. 
91st  Div,  Dec.  4,  1918. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  119 

LUCHICH,  NICK,  Private- 
Seattle,  Wash. 

LUCHSINGER,  OSCAR  R,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Medical  Detch.,  Vet.   Corps,  No.  14, 
1917. 

LUCKENBILL,  ALBANUS,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  24,  1918. 

LUTTIN,  PHILLIP  M.,  Sergeant— 

1573  Appleton  St.,  Long  Beach,  Cal.  Transferred  at  St.  Nazaire, 
France,  to  Supply  Co.,  364th  Inf. 

LYON,  FRED  A.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Enlisted  Ordnance  Corps  Mar.  12,  1918, 
and   attached  to   116th  Ord.   Depot   Co. 

McADAM,  JOHN   P.,  Private— 

Lemoore,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  M.  G.  Co.,  364th  Inf., 
Mar.  22,  1918.  Rated  Sergeant.  Cited  for  bravery  in  G.  O.  43,  H.  Q. 
91st  Div.,  Nov.  17,  1918. 

McATEE,  WILLIAM  O.,  Private— 
Oahe,  South  Dakota. 

McCALL,  JAMES,  Corporal- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  44th  Inf.,  Oct.,  1917. 

McCRACKEN,  COURTNEY,  Private— 

Woodlake,  Cal.  Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability, 
Jan.  3,  1918. 

McGOWAN,  J.  J.  H.,  Private  First-class- 
Care  Savage  Tire  Co.,  San  Diego,  Cal.     Gassed  Sept.  28,   1918,  near 
Bofs  de  Baulny. 

McGREGOR,  ROBERT  R.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Bakery  Co.,  No.  325,  Nov.  6,  1917. 

McINTYRE,  JAMES,  Private— 

Elsinore,  Cal.  Wounded  in  right  shoulder  by  sniper,  Sept.  27,  1918, 
near  Eclsifontaine. 

McKEAN,  FOSTER  N,  Private- 
Bear  Lake,  Mich. 

McLAUGHLIN,  -     —    Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Supply  Co.,  364th  Inf. 

MACDONALD,  JAMES  L.,  "Smilie",  Corporal— 

1090  N.  Mentor  Ave.,  Pasadena,  Cal.  Wounded  in  right  hand  by 
shell  fragment,  Sept.  27,  1918,  in  front  of  Eclisfontaine. 

MAJORS,  RUSSELL  O.,  Corporal— 

572  Eddy  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to 
Battery  "D",  346th  Field  Art.,  April  24,  1918. 

MALCHOW,  HERMAN  C.,  Private- 
Transferred    to    company    at    Camp    Merritt,     N.    J.,    July    9,    1918. 
Wounded  by  H.  E.  shell,  Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine  and  died 
of  wounds. 

MANFREDI,  GIOVANNI,  "Sammie's  Pet",  Private- 
Reno,   Nevada. 

MARKS,  CARL  O.,  Private- 
Leaf  River,  111. 

MASTAW,  JOHN,  Private— 

409  Johnston  St.,  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  Mich.  Transferred  at  Camp 
Merritt,  N.  J.,  July  10,  1918,  to  Overseas  Casuals. 

MATTHEWS,  LEO  R,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  19,  1918. 

MAY,  THOMAS  A.,  Private— 

901  S.  Main  St.,  Cleburne,  Texas.    Transferred  at  Longchamps,  France, 

to  hospital. 
MAYER,  ALOYSIUS,  Private— 

R.  F.  D.  1,  Fort  Branch,  Indiana. 


120  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


MEDITZ,  RUDOLPH,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  17,   1918. 

MEEKS,    GEORGE    S.,    Corporal— 

512  N.  1st  St.,  Yakima,  Wash.  Entered  4th  O.  T.  C.  at  Camp  Lewis. 
Transferred  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  May  28,  1918.  Transferred  to 
44th  Inf. 

MESSENGER,  FRED  W.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  H.  Q.  Troop  91st  Div.,  Nov.  14.  1917. 

MESSERALL,  RAYMOND  E,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Div.,  Sept.  30,  1917. 

MICOWITZ,  MOISEY,  Private- 
Wounded  by  M.  G.  bullet  Sept.  28,  1918,  near  les  Boleaux  Bois. 

A1ILLER,  WILLIAM  D.,  Corporal- 
Killed  in  action  by  H.  E.  shell,  Sept.  29,  1918,  near  Bois  de  Baulny. 

MOLINARI,  ANTHONY  J,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Div.,  Sept.  30,   1917. 

MONROE,  WILIAM  P.,  Private— 

Tulare,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Supply  Co.,  364th  Inf., 
April  4,  1918. 

MONTGOMERY,  FRANK  D.,  Private- 
Twin   Falls,    Idaho.     Wounded  by   M.    G.   bullet,    Sept.    27,    1918,    near 
Eclisfontaine. 

MOORE,  ROSS,  Private- 
Killed  in  action  by  H.  E.  shell,  Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

MORGAN,  JOHN  F.,  Private— 

1739  Crawford  Ave.,  Wellsville,  Ohio. 

MORRIS,  CHARLES  J.,  Corporal— 

2226  "E"  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal.  Wounded  and  gassed,  Sept.  28,  1918, 
near  Les  Bouleaux  Bois. 

MORRIS,  ROBERT  F.,  First  Sergeant— 

232  E.  Central  Ave.,  Riverside,  Cal.  Sent  to  O.  T.  C.  Sept.  10,  1918. 
Commissioned  2nd  Lieut.  Inf.  N.  A. 

MORROW,  JOE  E.,  Private— 
Visalia,  Cal. 

MOSDAHL,  LARS,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  116th  Depot  Brig. 

MOTT,  WALTER  T.,  Private— 

17  Washington  St.,  Odgensburg,  N.  Y.  Transferred  to  S.  O.  S. 
Hospital,  B.  S.  Havre,  France,  July  21,  1918. 

MUELHEISEN,  JACOB  C.,  Private— 
632  W.  York  St.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

MYERS,  CLAINE  J.,  "Parrott",  Private  First-class-  - 
Corona,  Cal. 

NAFSGAR,  -    — ,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability. 

NAPOLI,  ANGELO,  "Sixa  Squad",  Corporal— 

Armstead,  Mont.  Wounded  in  lungs  by  rifle  bullet,  Sept.  27,  1918, 
west  of  Eclisfontaine. 

NEEL,  RUFUS  H.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Casual  Detch.,  91st  Div.,  June  26,  1918. 
Sent  overseas  and  died  of  disease. 

NEILLY,  ALVIN  L,  Corporal- 
Martins  Ferry,  Ohio. 

NELSON,  HERBERT  A.,  Private- 
Killed  in  action  by  rifle  bullet,  Sept.  27,  1918,  before  Eclisfontaine. 

NEUNABER,  HENRY  F.,  Private— 
R.  R.   1.,   Morrisonville,  111. 

NEWKIRK,  HARRY,  Private— 

Huntington  Beach.,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Cooks  and 
Bakers  School,  April  13,  1918;  thence  to  Bakery  Co.;  thence  to  166th 
Depot  Brig.;  thence  to  Camp  Kearny  as  Sergeant  Instructor. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  121 

NORTON,  WALTER  W.,  Private— 

2211  N.  Broadway,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to 
56th  Engineers,  Washington  Barracks,  Washington,  D.  C. 

NUYAN,  JOHN,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  July  10,  1918,  to  Overseas  Cas- 
uals. 

O'BRIEN,  THOMAS  J,  Private- 
Buckley,  Wash. 

O'CONNELL,   EDWARD   P.   D.,   Private— 

1115  Plymouth  Ave.,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis 
to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  25,  1918. 

OLIVER,  RAYMOND  C.,  Private— 
Eureka  Springs,  Ark. 

OLIVER  THOMAS,  "You  Know  Me  Boys",  Private— 

3863  Third  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Med- 
ical Detch.,  Trains  Tq.,  and  Military  Police,  91st  Div.,  May  30,  1918. 
Rated  Sergt. 

ORCURTO,  BAPTIST,  "Pat",  "Crabby",  Mess  Sergeant— 
1250  4th  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal.. 

ORR,  STEWART,  Private— 
St.  Anthony,  Idaho. 

ORTIZ,  MANUEL  M.  A.,  Private  First-class— 

Wounded  by  H.  E.  shell,  Oct.  3,  1918,  in  Eclisfontaine  and  died  of 
wounds. 

ORTON,  JOHN  C.,  Private- 
Browning,  Mont.     Gassed  Oct.  3,  1918,  near  Exmorieux  Farm. 

OTTERSTADT,  OSCAR,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  June  19,  1918. 

OVERMAN,   FLOYD,  Private- 
Amy,  Ark.     Wounded  by  M.  G.  bullet  in  right  wrist,  Sept.  27,  1918, 
near  Eclisfontaine. 

OW,  JAMELUNG,  Private— 

1024  Santa  Barbara  St.,  Santa  Barbara,  Cal. 

PAFUNDI,  VITO,  Private- 

595  N.  6th  St.,  Newark,  N.  J.  Transferred  to  company  at  Camp  Mer- 
ritt, N.  J,  July  9,  1918. 

PALERMO,  PAUL,  Private— 

155  Maryland  St.,  Sebring,  Ohio.  Transferred  at  Camp  Merritt,  N. 
J.,  July  10,  1918,  to  Overseas  Casuals. 

PAPAS,  NICK,  Private- 
San  Diego,   Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig., 
June  17,  1918. 

PARKE,  ALEX,  Private  First-class- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Battery  E,  346th  Field  Art.,  May  25, 
1918. 

PARR,  THOMAS  A.,  "Wildcat",  Corporal- 
Seattle,  Wash. 

PARSONS,  LOVELL  H.,  Private— 
R.  R.  "A",  Bridgeport,  Ind. 

PARTRIDGE,  GEORGE  A.,  Private- 
Bishop,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to   Supply  Co.,  364th  Inf., 
April  13,  1918.    Rated  Wagoner. 

PATLAVCH,  JOHN,  "Patty",  Private  First-class— 
268  Edinburg  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

PATTERSON,  VICTOR  D.,  Private— Route  3,  Osceola,  Iowa.    Transferred 
at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  July  10,  1918,  to  Overseas  Casuals. 

PEDERSEN,  JENS   C,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  26,  1918. 


122  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


PEDERSON,  REUBEN,  Private— 

198   W.    5th    South    St.,    Logan,   Utah.      Transferred   to    service    with 
Peace  Commission  at  Paris,  A.  E.  F. 

PEDLEY,  ERIC,  Sergeant- 
Hotel  del  Monte,  Del  Monte,  Cal.     Attended  3rd  O.  T.   C.  Commis- 
sioned 2nd  Lieut.  Inf.  N.  A.,  and  transferred  to   Depot  Brig.,   Camp 
Lee,  Va.     Retransferred  to  Camp  Lewis  and  assigned  to  44th  Inf. 

PELTCHER,  GEORGE  L.,  Private  First-class— 

2030  Julian  Ave.,  San  Diego,  Cal.     Transferred  to  courier  service  of 
American  Peace  Commission  at  Paris. 

PEN,  JACOBUS  J.,  Private— 

Castlewood  Apts,  Oakland,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Su- 
ply  Co,  364th  Inf.,  April  4,  1918. 

PENNY,  LEO  A,  Private- 
Bishop,    Cal.      Transferred   to   Base   Hospital    at   Toul,    France,    from 
Pagny  sur  Meuse. 

PERDUE,  ALVA,  Private— 
Daycreek,"  Oregon. 

PERKETT,  LEE  T.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  School  for  Bakers   and  Cooks,   Mar. 
29,  1918. 

FESTAL,  JOHN,   Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Q.  H.  C,  April  9,  1918,  and  assigned 
to  Conservation  Branch. 

PESTOR,  LAWRENCE,  Private— 

741    Central   St.,   Los   Angeles,    Cal.     Transferred  at   Camp   Lewis   to 
M.  G.  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  Mar.  22,  1918. 

PETERSON,  DONEL  W.,  Private— 
Sipio,  Millard  Co.,  Utah. 

PEZICK,  VALDIMIR  U,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Div.,  Sept.  30,  1917. 

PHELPS,  H.  G.,  Private— 

8th  and  B  Sts.,  San  Diego,  Cal.     Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  phy- 
sical disability. 

PHILLIPS,  ELI  G,  Private- 
Monument,  Ore.     Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  27,  1918,  in   G.   O.  55, 
H.  Q.  91st  Div,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

PLASTER,  EDWIN  J,  Private- 
Box  632,   Reardan,   Wash.     Wounded  in  left  hand  by  M.   G.  bullet, 
Sept.  29,  1918,  near  Bois  de  Baulny. 

PLESCHE,  LOUIS,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  Mar.  18,  1918. 

POETTER,  LAWRENCE  "Over  the  Hill",   Private- 
Care  Mrs.  Bertha  Poetter,  Blue  Earth,  Minn. 

PORTER,   GROVER  T,  Private  First-class- 
Killed  in  action  by  H.  E.  shell  near  Eclisfontaine,  Sept.  27,  1918. 

POTTS,  WESLEY  A,  Private- 
White  Plains,  N.  C.     Transferred  to  company  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J, 
July  9,  1918. 

POWELL,  DONALD  A,  Corporal- 
Reed  Point,  Mont. 

POWELL,    HAROLD   G,   Private- 
Wayside,   St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to   Supply 
Co,  364th  Inf.,  Mar.  12,  1918. 

PRAFKE,  FRANK  A,  Private- 
Route  2,  Fairmount,  Minn.     Transferred  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J,  July 
10,  1918,  to  Overseas  Casuals. 

PRECOVICH,  THRODOR  M,  Private- 
Troop  "M",  llth  Cavalry,  Calexico,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis 
to   166th   Depot   Brig,   June   17,    1918.     Transferred  to    llth   Cavalry. 
Rated  Cook. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  123 

PRENTICE,   FRANK  "Salty",  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  26,  1918;  thence 
to  51st  Inf. 

PRICE,  CHARLES  C,  Private— 

3750  Pioneer  Place,   San  Diego,   Cal.     Dicharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for 
physical  disability,  Dec.   14,   1917. 

PROCISSI,  GUISEPPI,  Private- 
Reno,  Nevada. 

PROCTOR,  ALPHONSE,  Private- 
Angel   Place,  Washington,  D.  C. 

PROVENZANO,  GUISEPPI,  Private— 

Tamestown,  N.  Y.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Supply  Co.,  364th 
Inf.,  Jan.  3,  1918.     Rated  Wagoner. 

PSAROS,  ANTHONY  D.,  Private— 

426  Broadway,  San  Diego,  Cal.     Gassed  Sept.  29,  1918,  near  Bois  de 
Baulny. 

PSIHOGIOS,  GEORGE  A.,  Private— 

545  W.  2nd  St.,  South  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah. 

PURCELL,  GEORGE  D.,  Private— 
42  Melrose   Ave.,   Decator,   Ga. 

PUTNAM,  JAMES  B,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  316th  Field  Signal  Bn.,  No.  1,  1917. 

RAMESY,  JAMES  W,  Private- 
Route  2,  Metamora,   Ind. 

RANKER,  FRANK  J,  Private- 
Anaheim,   Cal.     Transferred  at   Camp  Lewis  to  Hq.  Co.,  364th   Inf., 
Nov.  2,  1917. 

RAYNOR,   CHARLES   B.,   Private- 
San  Diego,   Cal.     Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability, 
Dec.  27,  1917. 

REDMOND,  RAYMOND  E.,  Mechanic- 
Box  772,  Lindsay,  Cal. 

REED,  CALVIN  B,  Private— 
Roseville,  Ohio. 

REITER,  OSCAR  C,  Corporal- 
State  Farm,  Orient,   Ohio. 

REMICHE,  JOE  R.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Div.,  Sept.  30,  1917. 

REYNAUD,  ERNEST,  Private— 
344  "B"  St.,  Oxnard,  Cal. 

RICHARDSON,   BEN   H.,    "Le   Petit   General,"   Private— 

R.   F.  D.   1,  Ewing,   Ind.     Transferred  to  company  at  Camp  Merritt, 
N.  J.,  July  9,  1918. 

RICHARDSON,  HOMER  H,  Private  First-class— 

R.   F.   D.    1,   Lindsay,    Cal.     Cited   for  bravery  on    Sept.   28,   1918,   in 
G.  O.  55,  H.  Q.  91st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

RICKARD,  RAYMOND  H.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  316th  Mobile  Ordnance  Repair  Shop, 
Dec.   3,   1917. 

RICKELS,  JOHN,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  April  24,  1918. 

RIGGINS,  CLAUDE  J.,  Private- 
Mountain   View,   Oklahoma. 

RIGGLE,  ROBERT,  Private— 

R.  F.  D.  2,   Sellersburg,  Ind. 

ROBERTS,  CHARLES  V.,  Mechanic- 
Box  204,  Chula  Vista,  Cal. 

ROBERTS,  RAY,  Corporal— 

R.   R.  3,   Pomona,   Kansas. 


124  THE   "WAR   BOOK" 


ROBINSON,  HOWARD,  Private— 
Coronado,  Cal. 

ROEGLIN,  HERMAN  E.,  Private— 
Darfur,  Minn. 

ROESH,  CHARLES,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  19,  1918. 

ROGERS,  CHAN  L,  Private- 
Discharged  for  physical  disability  Jan.  8,  1918. 

ROMERO,  JULIAN,  Private— 

1623  Atlantic  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

ROSENBERG,  WILLIAM  C,  Private- 
Transferred   enroute   to   Post   Hospital,   Vancouver   Barracks,    Wash., 
June  26,  1918. 

ROSS,  WILLIAM  A,  "Hungry  George",   Cook- 
Box   176,  Imperial,  Cal. 

RUBENSON,  A.  M.,  Private— 

419  N.  Fremont  Ave.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

RUBIDOUX,  MACK  J,  Corporal- 
Killed  in  action  by  machine  gunner,  Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

RUDANOVICH,   BORISA,   Private   First-class— 
Staunton,  111. 

RUSSELL,  CLARENCE  H.,  Private— 
65  May  Ave.,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

RUSSETT,  ALFRED,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Guard  and  Fire  Co.,  Port  of  Embarka- 
tion, Hoboken,  N.  J.,  Mar.  28,  1918. 

RUTLEDGE,  ORVILLE  C.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Ordnance  Dept,  Nov.  9,  1917. 

SALMON,  LEONARD  E,  "Jew",  Sergeant- 
Seattle,  Wash.     Wounded  in  right  jaw  by  H.  E.  shell,  Sept.  29,  1918, 
near  Bois  de  Baulny. 

SANDNESS,  FERDINAND,  Private— 
385  Madison  Ave.,  Astoria,  Oregon. 

SANWICK,  HERMAN  E.,  Private— 

719   Columbia   St.,    San   Diego,   Cal.     Transferred  at   Camp   Lewis   to 
Supply  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  Mar.   12,   1918. 

SARMENTO,  JOSEPH  L,  Private- 
Discharged  at   Camp   Lewis   on   exemption   for   family   support,   April 
17,  1918. 

SASS,  JOSEPH,  Private- 

353  .Logan  St.,  Hammond,  Ind. 

SCAGGS,  CARL,  Private  First-class— 

630  E.  Highland  St.,  Martinsville,  Ind. 

SCHAMPEL,  WALTER  G.,  Private— 

134  S.  Main  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.     Dicharged  for  physical  disability. 

SCHIMMEL,  HARVEY  A.,  Private  First-class— 

R.  R.  1,  Box  70,  Michigantown,  Ind.  Transferred  to  company  at  Camp 
Merritt,  N.  J,  July  9,  1918. 

SCHMIZ,  ALBERT  B.,  Private  First-class— 
708  Franklin  St.,     Alton,  111. 

SCHNEIDER,   CHARLES,   Private— 
2323  E.  77th  St.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

SCHNITTYER,  LLOYD  C.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  19,  1918. 

SCHNUR,  ALBERT  S.,  Private— 
Stryker,  Ohio.,  R.  D.I. 

SCHOLLAERT,  EDMOND,  Private- 
Transferred    to    company    at    Camp    Merritt,    N.    J.,    July    9,     1918. 
Wounded   by   H.    E.    shell   near   Exmorieux   Farm,   Oct.   3,    1918,   and 
died  of  wounds. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  125 

SCHROTT,  FRANK  J.,  Private  First-class— 

R.  F.  D.  2,  Box  41,  Anaheim,  Cal.  Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  27, 
1918,  in  G.  O.  55,  H.  Q.  91st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

SCHUL,  GEORGE  A.,  Private  First-class- 
Box  380,  Riverside,  Cal. 

SCHUTZ,  ALVIN  H.,  Sergeant— 
Weyauwega,  Wis. 

SCHWEMER,  LOUIS  K.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Bakery  Co.  No.  325,  Nov.  19,  1917. 

SCHWERTFEGER,  ERNEST  W.,  Sergeant— 
525  W.  Beech  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

SCIBELLI,  ANGELO,  Private— 

386  Manhattan  Ave.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Transferred  to  company  at 
Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  July  9,  1918. 

SCOTT,  JAMES  W.,  Private— 
Wakefield,  Neb. 

SCOTT,  ORVILLE  H.,  Private  First-class- 
Gilbert,  Ohio.     Transferred  to  company  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  July 
9,  1918.    Gassed  Nov.  1,  1918. 

SEIDEMANN,  WILLIAM  A.,  Private— Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to 
Guard  and  Fire  Co.,  Port  of  Embarkation,  Hoboken,  N.  J.,  Mar.  28, 
1918. 

SEPSEY,  MITT  J,  "Big  Chief",  Private  First-class- 
Big  Pine,  Inyo  Co.,  Cal.     Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  28,  1918,  in  G.  O. 
55,  H.  Q.  91st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

SETCHELL,  JOHN  C,  Private- 
Ill    Third    St.,    Los    Angeles,    Cal.      Transferred   at    Camp    Lewis   to 
166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  26,  1918. 

SETZER,  ROBERT  W.,  Private— 
Marigold,   Cal. 

SEX,  JOHN,  Private- 
Downey,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Supply  Co.,  364th  Inf., 
April  2,  1918. 

SHANKEY,  JACOB,  Private— 

R.  F.  D.  2,  Jordan,  Minn.  Wounded  by  bullet  Sept.  30,  1918,  near 
Bois  de  Baulny. 

SHARP,  OTIS,  Private— 
Madill,   Oklahoma. 

SHA\V,  THOMAS  H,  "Sunshine",  Private— 
945  Columbia  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

SHEA,  MICHAEL  L,  Private- 
Green  Bay,  Wis. 

SHEBEL,  THOMAS  F.,  Private— 

122  Decatur,  St.,  Michigan  City,  Ind. 

SHEPARD,  HALL,  Corporal— 

835  Howard  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  care  Construction  Dept.  Trans- 
ferred at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  to  Overseas  Casuals;  thence  to  363rd 
Casual  Co.  for  overseas;  thence  to  "K"  Co.,  164th  Inf. 

SHEPPARD,  ROBERT,  Private- 
Transferred    at    Camp    Lewis    to    316th    Ammunition    Trans.      Rated 
Sergt.  1st  Cl. 

SHOLLENBERGER,  WILLIAM  G.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  Van- 
couver Barracks,  Dec.   12,   1917. 

SILVEY,  GEORGE  A,  Corporal— 

166  S.  7th  St.,  Santa  Paula,  Cal.  Wounded  by  H.  E.  shell  Sept.  29, 
1918,  near  Bois  de  Baulny. 

SIMMONS,  MORTIMER  T.,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  June  19,  1918. 


126  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


SKATTORES,  GEORGE,  Cook- 
San  Diego,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  H.  Q.  Detch.,  182nd 
Inf.  Brig,  June  20,  1918. 

SLAVIN,  EDDIE  J.,  Private— 

928  W.  llth  St.,  Erie,  Penn.  Transferred  to  1st  Replacement  Depot, 
St.  Aignan,  France,  Mar.  21,  1919. 

SMALE,  WILLIAM  A.,  Sergeant— 

Mexicala,  B.  C,  Mexico.  Entered  3rd  O.  T.  C.  at  Camp  Lewis;  com- 
missioned 2nd  Lieut.  Inf.  N.  A. ;  transferred  to  Depot  Brig,  Camp 
Lee,  Va. ;  thence  to  44th  Inf.,  Camp  Lewis,  assigned  as  Aide  de  Camp 
to  Gen.  Watson  and  Maj.  Gen.  John  F.  Morrison. 

SMITH,  ELMER  E,  Private— 
Groveport,  Ohio. 

SMITH,  JAMES  J,  Private— 

825  Garfield  St.,  Santa  Ana,  Cal. 

SMITH,  REUBEN  A,  Private  First-class- 
Riverside,  South  Dakota. 

SMITH,  RILEY,  Private  First-class— 
Cookson,   Oklahoma. 

SNYDER,  -     — ,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  316th  Ammunition  Trains. 

SNYDER,  HARLEY,  Private- 
Gas  City,  Ind. 

SOLOMON,  SAM  I,  Private— 

1604  E.  86th  St.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

SORENSON,  SAMUEL,  Private- 
La  Habra,  Cal. 

SPEARS,  GEORGE  H,  Bugler- 
San    Diego,    Cal.      Transferred    at    Camp    Lewis    to    Overseas    Casual 
Camp,  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J,  Mar.  27,  1918. 

SPEKER,  LEO  E,  Private— 

R.  2,  Petaluma,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot 
Brig. ;  thence  to  Overseas  Casuals  and  assigned  to  ''C"  Co,  55th  Inf. 

SPENCE,  CHARLES,  Private— 

1216  Fifth  Ave,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

SPENDLOVE,  GEORGE,  Private- 
Hurricane,  Utah. 

SPITLER,  GEORGE  W,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Div,  Sept.  30,  1917. 

SPURGEON,  HERMAN  P,  Private— 

118  "C"  St.,  Porterville,  Cal.  Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  28,  1918,  in 
G.  O.  55,  H.  Q.  91st  Div,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

STALDER,  CARL  L,  Corporal— 
680  14th  St.,  Riverside,  Cal. 

STEFFGEN,  LLOYD   A,   Corporal— 

1040  26th  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal.     Sent  to  O.  T.  C,  A.  E.  F. 

STEINKAMP,   JACOB,   Corporal— 

Seaview  Ave,  Bridgeport,   Conn. 

STELKER,  IRWIN,  Private— 

143,  Duncan  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  Gassed  Oct.  3,  1918,  near  Ex- 
morieux  Farm. 

STEWrART  ,GEORGE  A,  Corporal- 
Condon,  Oregon. 

STEWART,  MARTIN  V,  Private- 
Anaheim,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Medical  Detch,  364th 
Inf.,  Dec.  13,  1917. 

STIDHAM,  CLAUDE  M,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Feb.  12,  1918. 

STOVER,  DONALD  W,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Mar.  18,   1918. 


OF   E   CO.,   364TH    INF.  127 

STRADER,  ALVIN  J,  Cook- 
Enumclaw,  Wash. 

STREAMER,  ELIJA  C.,  Private  First-class— 
Stewartsville,  Ind. 

STREETER,  CHARLES  L.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  26,  1918. 

STRITCH,  MICHAEL  I,  Private  First-class— 
926  S.  Limestone  St.,  Springfield,  Ohio. 

STRUBB,  FRED  S.,  Private- 
Malta,  Mont. 

STUDEBAKER,  HARVEY  S.,  "Mule",  Private  First-class— 
Huntington  Beach,   Cal. 

STUMP,  JOHN  S.,  Private  First-class- 
Killed  in  action  by  H.  E  shell,  Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

SULLIVAN,  JESSE  A.,  Sergeant— 

3769  29th  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal.  Sent  to  O.  T.  C,  A.  E.  F.  Commis- 
sioned 2nd  Lt.  Inf.,  April  27,  1919. 

SUNDSTROM,  ERICK  L,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  22,   1918. 

SWANN,  REGINALD  F.  H,  Private— 

3226  Manitou  Ave.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

SWANSOX,  ERICK  S.,  "Our  Swede,;  Private  First-class- 
Transferred  to  Camp  Hospital  52,  Mar.  9,  1918. 

SWANSON,  LOUIS,  Private— 

523  Linden  Ave.,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

SWITZER,   SAMUEL  W.,  Private— 

Dinuba,  Cal.  Woudned  by  H.  E.  shell,  Sept.  30,  1918,  near  Bois  de 
Baulny. 

SYWULKA,  EDWARD,  "The  Sky  Pilot",  Private  First-class— 

Visalia,  Cal.  Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  26,  1918,  in  G.  O.  55,  H.  Q. 
91st  Div,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

TAACHI,  CARLO,  Private- 
South  San  Francisco,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  H.  Q.  Co., 
364th  Inf.,  June  20,  1918. 

TATE,  WILLIAM  T.,  Private— 

Beersheba  Springs,  Tenn.  Transferred  at  Longchamps,  France  to 
Hospital. 

TAYLOR,  JACK  L,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  G.  H.  Q.  Detch.,  A.  E.  F.,  Camp  Mer- 
ritt,  N.  J,  Jan.  13,  1918. 

THOMAS,  BEN,  Private— 

475  S.  Main  St.,  Akron,  Ohio. 

THOMAS,  LAURENCE  L,  Cook- 
Route  3,  Box  161,  Dinuba,  Cal. 

THOMPSON,  WILLIAM  C.,  Private  First-class— 

100  First  St.,  Wichita  Falls,  Texas.  Injured  in  railway  accident  at 
Pagny  sur  Meuse  and  transferred  to  hospital  at  Toul. 

TILLE,  AMOS  S.,  Private  First-class— 

5  Austin  Ave.,  Mt.  Vernon,  Ohio.  Gassed  Sept.  29,  1918.  Transfer- 
red to  company  at  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  July  9,  1918. 

TOLLERTON,  NOBLE  N,  "Doc",  Private— 

Dinuba,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  G.  H.  Q.  Detch.,  A.  E.  F., 
Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.,  and  assigned  to  Central  Records  Office  A.  E.  F. 
Rated  Sergeant. 

TOLLEY, .  EDWARD   A.,    Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to   166th  Depot  Brigade,  June   19,   1918. 

TOOLEY,  CHARLES,  Private- 
Oakland  City,  Ind. 


128  THE    "WAR    BOOK" 


TORREY,  IVOR  R,  Sergeant- 
State  Agricultural    School,    Davis,   Cal.     Transferred  at   Camp  Lewis 
to  Q.  M.  Officers'  School  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  April  26,   1918.     Pro- 
moted to  2nd  Lieut.,  Q.  M.  C. 

TOWEY,  MICHAEL  J.,  Private- 
Anaconda,   Mont.    Wounded  over  left  eye   by  sniper,    Sept.   27,    1918, 
near  Eclisfontaine. 

TRADAL,  LUDWIG  T.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  22,  1918. 

TRUDEAU,  PETER,  Private— 

5846  San  Pedro  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to 
Supply  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  April  2,  1918;  thence  to  Plumbing  Dept,  Q. 
M.  C.  Rated  Sergeant. 

TRUE,  JOHN,  Private  First-class- 
Box  500,  Steilacoom,  Wash. 

TRUEBLOOD,  WALTER  R.,  Private— 
7242   Bennan   Ave.,   Akron,    Ohio. 

TULLY,  JOHN  B.,  Private— 

122  E.  49th  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

TWOMBLEY,  GERALD  R.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Supply  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  April  4,  1918; 
thence  to  Base  Hospital;  thence  to  H.  Q.,  166th  Depot  Brig. 

VAN  DEN  BERG,  EDWARD  R,  Private- 
Injured  in  railway  accident  at  Pangy  sur  Meuse  and  transferred  to 
Base  Hospital. 

VAN  DENBURGH,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Dec.  18,  1917. 

VAN  DER  LOO,  J.  J,  Private— 

4360  Howe  St.,  Oakland,  Cal.  Acting  Corp.  Wounded  in  leg  by  H.  E. 
shell  fragment,  Sept.  30,  1918,  near  Tronsol  Farm. 

VANDRTJFF,  WILLIAM  J.,  Private— 

226  S.  Hockett  St.,  Porterville,  Cal. 

VAN  OSDOLL,  BERT  C.,  Sergeant- 
Exeter,  Tulare  Co.,  Cal.  Wounded  Sept.  29,  and  Oct.  1,  1918,  near  Bois 
de  Baulny. 

VARGAS,  ANTONE  R.  P.,  Private— 

631  E.  8th  St.,  East  Oakland,  Cal.  Sent  to  hospital  from  Longchamps, 
France. 

VERNON,  CHARLES  C.,  Private— 

434  W.  Moreland  Place,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp 
Lewis  to  Aviation  Ground  School,  Berkeley,  Cal.;  thence  to  Aviation 
Service,  Kelly  Field,  Texas.  Commissioned  1st  Lieut.  A.  S. 

VIVRETT,  JOHN  R,  Cook— 
Coalinga,   Cal. 

VOGT,  HAROLD  L,  Private- 

103  Goodwin  Ave.,  E.  Toledo,  Ohio. 

WAGER,  PHIL,  Private- 
San  Diego,  Cal.     Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Bakery  Co.  No.  325, 
Nov.  2,  1917. 

WAITE,  HOWARD  E,  Sergeant- 
Riverside,  Cal.    Attended  3rd  O.  T.  C.  at  Camp  Lewis;  transefrred  to 
Camp  Lee,  Va.,  May  23,  1918.    Commissioned  2nd  Lieut.  N.  A. 

WALKER,  JAMES  E.,  Corporal- 
La  Habra,  Cal.     Gassed  near  Eclisfontaine,  Oct.  3,  1918. 

WALKER,  JOHN  P.,  Private— 

Visalia,  Cal.  Dicharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  May 
4,  1918. 

WALLER,  HOWARD  E.,  "Susanville",  Private- 
Killed  in  action  by  bullet  in  abdomen,   Sept.  27,   1918,  near  Eclisfon- 
taine. 


OF   E    CO.,    364TH    INF.  129 

\YARD,  OTTO  M,  Private- 
Newport,    Ohio.     Transferred   at   Camp   Merritt,    N.   J.,    to    Overseas 
Casuals,  July  10,  1918. 

WAFIELD,  WALTER,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  26,  1918. 

WATKINS,  DAVID,  Private— 
Anna,  Kansas. 

WATSON,  HAROLD  W.,  Sergeant— 

Farmersville,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Aviation  Section, 
Signal  Corps,  Vancouver  Barracks,  Dec.  12,  1917. 

WATSON,  WILMETH,  "Tubba",  Private  First-class— 

1211  W.  52nd  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Wounded  by  H.  E.  shell  frag- 
ment, Sept.  28,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

WEAVER,  DAVID  F.,  "Dot-dash",  Private  First-class— 
2936  Imperial  Ave.,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

WEBER,  PERCY  F.,  Private— 
Elko,   Nevada. 

WEBER,  WILLIAM,  Private— 

68   Brehl   Ave.,    Columbus,   Ohio. 

WEIDENBACH,  ROY,  Private- 
Killed  in  action  by  H.  E.  shell,  Sept.  27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

WEIS_S,  PAUL,  Private— 

516  N.  Sherman  Ave.,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

WEISSHAND,  GEORGE,  Private— 

Adena  Hotel,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  W'ounded  Sept.  27,  1918,  near 
Eclisfontaine. 

WELLS,  EDWIN  A.,  Corporal— 

514  Palm  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal.  Wounded  in  right  hand  Sept.  28,  1918, 
near  Eclisfontaine.  Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept.  26,  1918,  in  G.  O.  55, 
H.  Q.  91st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

WESTON,  ROY  T.,  Sergeant— 

Humboldt,  Arizona.  Wounded  in  back  by  H.  E.  shell,  Sept.  29,  1918, 
near  Bois  de  Baulny. 

WHEELER,  HAL  N.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  166th  Depot  Brig.,  June  19,  1918. 

WHEELER,  RAY  L.,  Private  First-class— 

1427  Park  Ave.,  Riverside,  Cal.  Gassed  Oct.  3,  1918,  near  Tronsol 
Farm. 

WHITAKER,  HERBERT,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Div.,  Sept.  30,  1917. 

WHITCHURCH,  CHARLES  A.,  Sergeant- 
Assigned  to    Company  as   Sergeant   and   Officer   Candidate,   April   26, 
1918.     Transferred  to  Camp  Lee,  Va.,  May  23,   1918.     Commissioned 
2nd  Lieut.  Inf.  N.  A. 

WHITE,  JAMES,  Private- 
Riverside,    Cal.     Transferred   at    Camp    Lewis   to   316th    Ammunition 
Trains.     Rated   Corporal. 

WICKS,  ALBERT  M.,  Private— 

859  8th  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal.  Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical 
disability,  Feb.  4,  1918. 

WILKINS,   ROLLA   C,   Private- 
Transferred   to    Veterinary    Dept,    Auxiliary    Remount    Depot,    Camp 
Lewis,  Nov.  15,  1917. 

WILLIAMS,  WAYNE  O.,  Private— 

4214  Lockwood  Ave.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis 
to  Machine  Gun  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  Mar.  22,  1918. 

WILLIAMS,  PAUL  G.,  Private  First-class— 
619^  W.  30th  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

WILLSON,  A'RTHUR  F.,  Private  First-class- 
Reubens,  Idaho.     Wounded  in  left  foot. 


130  THE   "WAR   BOOK" 


WILLSON,  EDWARD  M.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  Van- 
couver Barracks,  Dec.  12,  1917. 

WILSON,  ALBERT  H.,   Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Battery  B,  347th  Field  Artillery,  April 
9,  1918. 

WILSON,  EDWARD,  Private- 
Rough  and  Ready,  Cal.    Gassed  Sept.  29,  1918,  near  Bois  de  Baulny. 

WILSON,  FRED  A.,  Private  First-class— 
Kirkland,  Wash. 

WILSON,  HARRY  C,  Private— 

318  S.   Broadway,   Barnsville,   Ohio. 

WILSON,  JOHN  M,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  41st  Div.,  Sept.  30,  1917. 

WILSON,  VESSIE,  Private— 

Bainbridge,  Ross  Co.,  Ohio. 

W1SBEY,  ORLAN,  "Happy",  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Supply  Co.,  364th  Inf.,  April  4,  1918. 
Wounded   by   shell   fragment   near   Very  and   died   of   pneumonia  in 
France. 

WITTENBRACKER,  LEO  B.,  Private- 
Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  Van- 
couver Barracks,  Dec.  12,  1917. 

WOODBURY,  HARRY  B,   "Promoter",   Private— 

2102  Union  St.,  San  Diego,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Lewis  to 
Supply  Co.,  364th  Inf.;  thence  to  "D"  Co.,  364th  Inf.  Rated  Sergeant. 

WORKS,  RODERIC  L.,  "High  Pockets",  First  Sergeant— 

728  S.  Coronado  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Cited  for  bravery  on  Sept. 
27,  1918,  in  G.  O.  55,  H.  Q.  91st  Div.,  Dec.  4,  1918. 

WRIGHT,  RALPH  R.,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Feb.  4,  1918. 

WYNNE,  ARTHUR  L.,  "No  Clothes",  Supply  Sergeant— 
Dinuba,  Cal. 

YAWN,  JAMES  Z,  Private  First-class- 
Climax,  Ga. 

YODER,  CLARENCE,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability. 

YOUNG,  EDGAR  M.,  Private- 
Discharged  at  Camp  Lewis  for  physical  disability,  Jan.  17,  1918. 

YOUNG,  FRANK  G.,  "Buddie",  Sergeant— 

2115  McKinley  St.,  Berkeley,  Cal.  Wounded  in  face  by  bullet,  Sept. 
27,  1918,  near  Eclisfontaine. 

YOUNG,  SIDNEY  A,  Private— 

190  N.  Gage  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Transferred  at  Camp  Merritt,  N. 
J.,  to  Overseas  Casuals,  July  10,  1918.  Assigned  to  82nd  Div.  Rated 
Corporal. 

YOUNG,  WALTER  G.,  Private— 

8112  Germantown  Ave.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Transferred  to  hospital 
from  Longchamps,  France. 

ZAPH,  CARL  C.,  Private— 

733  Mt.  Vernon  Ave.,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

ZIEMER,   FRED,  Private- 
New  Richmond,  Wis.     Wounded  by  H.   E.   shell,   Oct.  3,   1918,   near 
Tronsol   Farm. 


AN    *«* _   FAil_URE  i"   n----~ 

OVERDUE. 


_lOOm-7,'39(402s) 


U.C.BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


